Home of the Shade Angels and Divine Demons.

Dante and his squad returned back to Limbo in a dark portal and stepped out in the lobby of a truely titanic building. Dante's eyes darted immediately to the members of the Guild standing there looking at them. As he normally had done, Dante walked right passed the members without a second glance, getting a negative reaction from one of them. Yet it was quite clear Dante did not care one way or the other.

Henry, one of Dante's very few friends sighed and walked over to the Guild members. "Sorry about that. You know how he is, and all." Henry smirked as he talked, getting an eye roll from the Divine Demon female that playfully pushed Henry and followed Dante out of the massive lobby. Henry shook his head, but kept his composure. "So we took care of the summoning priest like you asked."

The employer nodded and pulled out a burlap sack and handed it to Henry. "18,000 worth of gold and 95 silver coins are your payment. You have done well, as always Henry. The Guild shall continue to rely on you and Dante. Good day and good luck." With the employer and the Guild members left. Henry noticed Dante and the female about to leave.

"Hey wait up!" Henry shouted and ran to them.

Excel breathed calmly, her lungs felt like they were on fire. She could have come off as raspy if she dare increase the speed of her forced-calm breath.

She was pretty beat up, but she had a health drink back home waiting for her, so she didnt mind enduring it. She was looking at her employers eyes with an empty stare.

Her employer seemed to hesitate, watching blood trail its way down her pale arm and drip from her fingertips. It wasnt a fluke, nor wa it fate that people nick named her the red snowflake.

The employer coughed, uncomfortable with her cool gaze as he placed his payment on the table infront of them.

"Its the rare item I promised..." the employer stated, "I... At first I couldnt believe Refrain could pull it off...."

Excels eyes stopped on the item, it was a gold pendant holding sprite-fire, a relic item that could be sold for about 50 Exol. The money itself could last her about twelve years. She wasnt planning on selling the pendant though... it was something to make her stronger.

"So... This is the legendary strangle band?" she questioned, taking the gold item out and immediately placing it around her neck. "Thank you."

Without a second glance or word she walked out normally, her head held high as if she just woke up from a long rest.

"I-is that Refrain?"

"I didnt know that group actually existed!"

"Rumors... They were true..."

"She looks kinda cool."

The words didnt mean much to Excel, she didnt care for attention, she didnt smile or attempt eye contact as she walked through a secret ally-way to take her home. When no one was in sight, she clutched her chest and gagged, gasping for air, increasing her breath. Her body wobbled slightly, this mission was almost too much for her...

She was too weak! She clenched her fists in irritation!

She finally got home and drank her potion, she was tired still but her injuries were healed fully. She needed to buy more of these....

She walked outside and headed to the training grounds, she was known as a skilled swords-lady, who fought with three light swords, two in each hand, and one in her mouth.

She never would practise 'three-style' openly, but she was very skilled with them, she trained with two though.

The training grounds was a huge illusion, monsters and illusions made up the grounds and the more you killed, the harder the enemies became, she was a regular here..... Of course, it would be harder with an actual second opponent, but she detested the idea to spar with someone else, she would end up killing them anyway.

The strangle band helped boost her Haki, and Rage skills but it really took a toll on the body overtime. Excel firmly believed this would help her training... And make it much more difficult on her.

After hours of fighting, she walked down a street, in a calm composure. She felt very drained and tired, but she decided to return to a guild to accept another mission anyway.

Dante was passed by Excel in the streets and he eyed her cautiously, not wanting nor caring to engage in conversation with someone. Dante had a reputation to uphold. He was the Ice King, not because of the element, but from his distant uncaring nature that made others afraid to approach him. Dante was content with his existance and wanted to keep how things were going. His human life was insignificant and he was determined to make this second chance worthwhile.

Henry, was not so cold. Nicknamed Mr. Fireworks he was friendly to most despite not having many friends. Many found that Henry and Dante deciding to form a Pact was never going to work with Fire and Ice, yet the two made it to the top of the Ratings for a five member Pact. Diala was also more talkative and decided to walk up to Excel.

"Excuse me, are you doing okay? You look wounded and in need of rest." Diala's soft nature and voice made Dante roll his eyes and lean up against a building. Henry shrugged and sat down by Dante, the two not needing to say anything as they hardly ever exchanged a single word. Diala smiled at Excel, finding her quite attractive. Dante knew the look in Diala's eyes a she looked at Excel.

Excel froze for a second, stopping in mid-step. Her empty purple eyes rose, slowly passing each members face, before considering what was said to her.

No one usually commented about her situation... But it was only a comment to her, only a suggestion, she had no real reason to actually respond.

Refrain usually took missions from every guild, since she was not registered with a guild, her group was not official, but the quests gave her money and allowed her to have a roof over her head so she really didnt care about fame. Even though... Not registering gave her unwanted fame by fans of Refrain... Excel didnt even have to name her 'non-existent' pact.

She dropped her cold, empty eyes and brushed passed Diala. The soft pit, pat, of her bare feet hitting the cement was the only noise that was made by her.

The potion healed a majority of her injuries, but the deep wounds that she had only closed and clotted slightly. Blood was still evident on her fingers and feet.

That last one was a B-level mission, she was actually quite surprised for such a level to have a great S* prize. The B-mission of hers was to take out a gang of demons called 'the click' easier said than done however, it was hard enough as she was.... Perhaps she would go easy this time and take a few D levels... She would be damned if she did anythin below it.

She didnt feel bad, she was always a mute when it came to other people. She had no distinct reason to answer, it was her body to push and poke at anyway. If she were showing her weak feelings she probably would have agreed and rested on the side of the road happily... But not Excel, she would rather die then let weak things control her...

"You're going down!" Vance roared, his flames having capturing him and his opponent in a pentacle shape.

"V-Van, it's me! c'mon this is just training, take it easy, I yeild!" Jun was a comrade who had lasted longer than most, they'd formed a temporary pact for about 1 and a half months now. "I said yeild! Van..."

Vance laughed maniacally and brandished his sword.

"Yeild? Yeild means nothing! In a real fight do you think the enemy will just yeild?! And even if they're soft enough to, money won't come from letting them scurry away!" He sneered. "I have to take you down, or the job won't get down."

"But this isn't a real fight Raid! It's JUST training." Jun was now wimpering in terror, his weapon cast aside.

Vance raised his sword with an eery grin. A familiar hand on his shoulder stopped him. Or rather, a familiar hand slapped him in the back causing a large clot of blood to spulrt from his wound. Vance feel to his knees, suddenly overcome by exhaustion and remorse.

"Alright, training session's over. That's it for this match folks!" Tristan, the owner of the training ring, announced. "Cheer up Van, I think you improved a bit."

"Are you kidding me?" Vance panted, leaning heavily on his sword for support.

"Kidding is right!" Jun stood up and retrieved his weapon. "And so is over! This pact is disbanded! I'm fed up with having to mind my arse around you, I'm actually jealous of the ones that didn't make it. It was all over in less than 5 seconds for them, whereas I have spent the last 6 weeks avoiding your ** flames. I'm sick of it, you're a nutcase Raid, a real nutter."

He stormed out with as much dignity as a singed, steaming shade angel can.

"Jun... wait, I-" Vance murmured, glaring at the ground. "You see!? If anything, I've gotten worse, friendly fatalities have UP, and the ** beast just blacks me out!!!"

"You just need a challenge, that guy wasn't much. And it also means more people are giving you a chance."

"Don't pretend you don't agree with him. You're just soft is all Trist, too nice." Vance heaved himself up. "If you didn't agree with him, you'd be dead."

Tristan sighed. It was partly the truth, the other part was the fact he was a Tank class and could take Vance's beatings a little easier than most. But the first part was that he had split his pact with Vance just like Jun had done, and all their old pact members had perished in flames.

"One more, this one'll keep you in your place, I promise." He regarded his old comrade gravely

"Fine." Vance heaved his sword onto his shoulder, the blood was starting to run thin again. "One more, Come and get it!!!"

He stared at the crowd challengingly.

"Monster! Get out of the ring! What's he doing here?!! This is supposed to be training, not suicide!!!" The sounds of fame sounds a lot like displeasure, or maybe this was what they call infame.

A slender, dark purple haired female shade angel jumped down and stopped about ten paces away from him.

"Is this a joke?" Vance growled. "Trist, she's a chick, she's going to die."

"I beg your pardon?" Her slender eyebrows rose in amusement.

"Give her a chance," Tristan smirked from his commentator's box. "LAST FIGHT OF THE REIGNING CHAMPION PEOPLE, WILL SHE BE ABLE TO BEAT THE BEAST OR WILL HE DEVOUR HER?!?!?!"

"Great, just great." Vance muttered, swining his sword down from shoulder.

In a flash, the woman was in the air above him, he looked up sharply. Flames drew a swift circle around them on the ground, then something strange happened. The sounds of the fire got louder than they should be, the screams of his late teamates rang in his ears.

"Guys..." He lowered his weapon cautiously.

Something struck, causing him to stagger. Ranged attacks?! Was Tristan trying to kill him?! Vance narrowed his eyes and stared into the smoke. He was no longer in the ring, but in a burning cathedral, wooden pillar tumbling around him. Screams and pleading cries raked at his ears.

"It's not my fault!" He growled. "They got too close!! I warned them, but they wouldn't listen!!!"

Another strike pushed him down.

"I came here to learn control!!! I will learn, you can't stop ME!!!" He roared, swinging and parrying.

An arrow bounced harmlessly off his blade. The illusion vanished and he shot forward towards the startled woman. Flames rose, linin his path and her eyes widened.

"I..." She gasped.

"You'll all respect me one day!!!" He yelled, rising his sword again, flames licking up the sharp edge.

A body flashed between them and grunted as it took the hit. Vance let go in surprise.

"T-Trist?"

"Ok, so maybe I underestimated your temper." The Tank class held his cleaved shoulder together. "I just thought you might be careful this time."

"I-I'm sorry." Vance panted.

After the ring cleared...

"You've got to get your act together." Tristan passed Vance an energy elixir and an extra strong healing potion.

"I know, that's why I come here." He pocketed them and wrapped his blade in bandages.

"I can't keep lending you these, pick up some jobs, stop trying to pick up people." Tristan patted his shoulder and led him out the door.

"I'll see what I can do." Vance nodded, hefting his weapon onto his shoulder and backing out... Straight into one of Limbo's most popular shade angels.

((Whos the popular angel? [wants to read maor] ))

Edit** ((our chars shouldnt be famous... If anything they are 'well-known' rookies. :33 it would be much more fun to keep working for a higher status. :D))

(I still see Dante being rather up there, along with Henry.)

Dante walked into the training ring a few hours after he and his Pact finished their mission. His mind was focused on returning to his quarters in the Guild building itself, a rarity for anyone. Yet it was secluded from the burden of socializing with others and the quiet was just what Dante enjoyed. Dante's eyes turned to see Vance and Jun in the training ring. Dante had to admit that Vance was powerful, and that gave him an idea.

He wasted next to no energy on the C Mission he was on, and that dissapointed him greatly. Dante was a fighter, a warrior with a natural heart for battle. That fire and desire to simply fight for the sake of fighting made Dante ascend very quickly through the ratings. Though Dante would admit that getting there would be impossible without the help of his hand-picked Pact.

Dante walked to the ring and the rookies instantly gave him space as he stood at the enterance to it. Dante eyed Vance as he exited. Everyone backed off.

((I.... See :P well as long as your not super famous, it would ruin it (Not be fun for you, if your char had no struggle.) if you were already really high up there.))

Excel heard nothing more from the girl and her pact as she completely ignored her, and continued into the nearest sword-based guild. She wasnt a fan of shield supporters, sometimes it really irritated her.

She gazed at the job list, carefully scanning the rewards in the D-B list, she would never do an E... Even if it killed her. Usually the rewards were horrible too, so she really had no interest.

One quest caught her eye, it had a pretty decent reward that would last her a few days to stock up on regen potions and rent for her house. She noted that it was a B level quest since it involved killing an angel on Earth... Not like she cared about the assignment details anyway, to her, a target was just a target.

She took the notice and saw the employers number scrawled onto it. She took out her cell and flipped it open, dialing the number and whispering.

"Mission has been accepted by Refrain."

She closed the phone after that, not caring what the employer had to say, she wasnt a fan of talking so she could care less. She sighed, calming her exhausted body and regaining a bit of energy, she could do this... As long as she could move it would be fine.

Gazing at her left hand, she placed a small ring on and turned it, opening a black portal that would definitley lead her to Earth. She was always aiming for battle and support items in quests, she never cared for money unless it was necessary.

She walked through, heading for Earth.

(He's more like famous as in his skill over his actual Rating. And Dante is good on his own in a fight, but not as good as some. In a Pact he is a force multiplier, being able to extend the power of a Pact and give them a much higher success rate.)

Henry chuckled as he and Diala walked into the Guild to find a solo mission. They were still energetic and were looking for a mid-grade D mission so they could pummel, but still have to be cautious. Diala smirked as she selected one mission and expanded it on the screen. She carefully looked over each one's reward, and found them to be worth the small effort. "See you on the dark side. I have a mission in Hell." Diala chuckled as she cracked her knuckles, calling the employer from her phone.

Henry smirked as he found a low-grade C mission with decent rewards, enough to satisfy him for a time until Dante would accept a mission for the group. Henry called the employer and landed the mission that was to take place on Earth. "Yeah see you soon as well." Henry and Diala waved to each other and headed off to the portal ring room.

XXXX

Dante blinked slowly as his ice gaze pointed to the ring. "Get it there, we are going to spar." Dante said with purpose. He was in a real non-nonsense move as he walked into the ring and took off his jacket and unsheathed his six foot sword and took a few practice swings with it. A rookie Divine Demon approached Van and gulped.

"Don't even try it. He will absolutely crush you man!" The man gulped again as he could FEEL Dante's icy glare from the ring.

Dante did not even pay attention to Vance's monologue as he swung his blade with pinpoint precision. Stopping his swinging, Dante let someone open the gate to allow Vance to enter. Dante eyed Vance with curiosity, but in a sadistic way. Dante shot out both his jet colored wings and looked at Vance. His gaze was just as icy as ever, but a light look on his face made it so he didn't look like he was going to take Vance seriously. Yet this was Dante Sapher, he was dead serious at all times. "Get in and get ready." That was all Dante said to Vance.

Dante sighed as he quickly and violently parried Vance into a wall and had his blade at Vance's neck. Dante ended the fight nearly as fast as it began. "Anger will be your demise." Dante backed up, his winter green eyes never once leaving Vance's. Dante readied his weapon this time. He was waiting for any chance to barrage Vance with powerful slashes.

Excel returned quite upset about what happened... It was a trap, so the employer also was a fake... Therfore no more money for potions to heal.

She spat, the spit was laced with blood. She was concerned only with the fact she had to wait to heal now... Who knows how long that would take...

She sat on a bench just outside the training arena, it was a good place to rest if you also wanted to watch the fights. She sat down, noticing there was a first aid kit hanging from the fenced area. She would like ti bandage her wounds to stop the bleeding... But she wasnt going to take it, she wasnt some charity case... It disgusted her.

She gazed at the arena watching a fight between two guys, she knew Dante rather well... Well everyone seemed to talk about him... And the other was a guy named Vance... She heard the names before but that was about it for her.

She sighed, gazing up at the sky from time to time and then glancing back at the arena. She saw black spots occasionally in her line of vision, but it didnt surprise her. She was probably going to black out soon, but she sort of wanted to see the fight...

She tried to stay awake and observe the fight, but she gave into a darkness that plagued her from the loss of blood. She closed her eyes an leaned back, passin out from exhaustion and tension.

Dante smirked as he spun in place, using an water slash to cut just enough room for him to pass through. Dante's speed wasn't that much, but he slammed into Vance with his shoulder and impaled him to the wall with his sword. In Dante's hand was an Ice Punch, and it was a mid-class level. Dante smirked as he ripped out the blade and came an inch to hitting Vance. "Again." Dante turned his back to Vance this time, having proved his point. Dante didn't seem to fighting his all, he wanted to quell his frustration at an easy mission. It was like Dante to take on the "Suicide" Missions on his own. And at times Dante would have died had it not been for his sheer will power.

He was going to show Vance just how strong his will power was.

Dante face remained calm as he gut kicked Vance with a bit more power than was needed and lept up to catch his blade that was still in the air. Dante dove at an insane speed towards Vance, only to stop a bit and let the force of air slam into Vance. Dante had his weapon at his side this time, a more relaxed stance, but one that showed that Dante was ready for a fight that could last awhile. Dante did not even both responding to Vance, prefering to stay silent.

Cheers for both of them rang out in the group of rookies. Henry, who had his mission canceledwas there as well, interested in seeing what Dante could do to someone like Vance. He also knew that Dante would never talk to Vance.

Dante glared at Vance, finally not caring about losing his frustrations. Dante was going to end this quickly, and he knew just how to do it. He raised his sword to a more serious position with the blade facing up and the tip pointed right at Vance's neck, he was going for a kill shot. Dante spread his feet out a bit as he breathed out, ice forming from it and his hands as the ice began to circle around Dante's sword. In an instant Dante rushed forward and dipped his sword tip down, ice moving forward, creating a wall of ice. Dante pulled his sword back and spun, this time with fire encompassing his blade. He slashed through the ice and stopped right at Vance's neck.

Excel woke up in a daze, she gazed at the fighting area, noticing another fight was going on. She could not make out who it was though, her vision was all fuzzy and she noticed a large crowd around her.

"Oh Red snow, you're awake!" Excel glanced to her side and saw a girl, gazing at her with a smile.

"You were bloody and messy so we just cleaned you up so we could watch the fight! It was really intense!" she smiled before turning her gaze back to the arena.

Excel didnt have the right mind to get angry as she shakily stood to her feat and leaned against the fence, it was pretty far from the actual arena so she didnt think anyone would be in these far stands, so this fight was probably really intense.

"You want to get closer Red?" the girl chimed, Excel found her a bit annoying and she rubbed her temples from the migrain she was giving her.

This girl was probably a major rookie, anyone would know that Excel was just exhausted... But then again the excitement from the crowd drew attention away from the half-dead girl.

"Here, come on Red!" the girl grabbed her arm and started to drag her, Excel wondered why she was so intent on going down there anyway...

After a few minutes of stumbling, Excel hypothesised the girl was using her 'well-known' skill as a rookie to cut through the crowds to see her idol. Of course Excel didnt have the energy to argue or coldly push her off, Excel was dizzy, confused, and tired.

After sometime of being dragged to who knows where, Excel found herself closer to the arena the two fighting were men, and that was evident. After she got over this, no ones face would be liable... She couldnt do anything to escape this overwhelming crowd.

"I'm leaving." Excel whispered to the girl. Usually her voice would be direct, monotone, and calm, but in her state, her voice wavered. It sounded soft, alone, and rather girlish.

She wasnt sure if the girl heard her or not, but she tried pushing herself through the crowd regardless. Of course, she stumbled many times and ended up being pushed closer into the fight.

She stumbled back, bumping into Henry's back softly. She froze and stood up straighter, her head was spinning and her breathing slowed and became deeper.

"...How careless." She commented in a whisper.

"My apologies.." she said again a bit louder, just enough for it to reach his ears. She wanted to leave, she wasnt expecting an answer, she just didnt want to get into a pointless fight right now...

Dante took the blow Vance delivered to his skull and landed on his feet as blood dripped from his forehead. It appeared Dante was not phased much by the blow, as he took a pretty rigid battle stance showing seriousness as he soon rushed again. Using his speed, Dante blurred right, then left finally picking a spot behind Vance kicking him in the back just below the shoulder blades before leaping forward. Dante rolled abit and as he sprang from the roll, he spun on his left foot using his left hand to spin his ice coated blade to Vance's neck.

Henry smirked as he turned to see Excel. "Hey it's all good. Why do you want to leave an ass-kicking like this? Fun to watch Dante turn newbies into fighters worth taking onto missions." He laughed as he saw his friend get ready to fight again before disapearing into blurs.

Excel's empty gaze lingered on him.

"I don't have time to watch... Its careless to waste time." she calmed down a bit, even though her head was spinning. She had to go home, heal up and continue her mission fast... She couldnt afford to stop at this rate.

She didnt want to tell him much more than that, this guy didn't seem very trusting in her point of perspection.. The only thing she was grateful for was the fact she wasn't stumbling as much. She perdicted that the employer who was sending fake missions to guilds was still alive, if Refrain were to call him and utter the words of 'mission accomplished' she would be targeted definitely... And she didnt want to become just another target to more than one person.

Henry nodded as he couldn't help but agree with Excel. Henry knew Vance was in over his head with Dante, the man was the Ice King for a reason and it wasn't for his skill with Ice. Dante was deadly in a fight regardless of training or mission. It was not uncommon for Dante to severely injure others even in training, something many of the guilds do not like about Dante. "Yeah, this is an ass kicking. Vance will understand that Dante is a master of the fight." Henry then let Excel go without much more words.

"Being a master.... Sounds like he will soon become a target too." Excel commented able to push past the spectators in the crowd. She didnt mean to sound like she were threatening him in anyway, it was just her way to warn him what attention will bring the 'Ice king' she easily vanished in the crowd though and she doubt Henry would be able to inquire about it any further.

She walked down the empty road, able to relax, and gaining a small stagger in her step. She headed to the nearest resting house. Maube she will become lucky enough to take an extra health potion.

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