The Glass Tower loomed before Dante and Raen, its sleek crystalline surface glinting beneath the city's neon glow.
A faint hum of energy vibrated through the air—soft yet unmistakable—as if the building itself were alive and breathing.
Dante stepped forward, his boots echoing against the pavement, and with a casual push, he swung open the heavy glass doors.
A rush of cool air spilled out to greet them, carrying the faint scent of damp carpet mixed with the sharp tang of ozone from the flickering fluorescent lights above.
They entered the lobby, their footsteps muffled by the plush but slightly worn carpet. The space was modern, though sterile—polished chrome accents, a faint electronic hum, and the faint echo of the city outside all melding into a strangely lifeless rhythm.
At the center of it all stood a curved glass counter, its surface reflecting the glow of a single flickering bulb. Behind it stood a woman—her posture straight, her expression unreadable, every motion precise and deliberate.
Dante's thoughts: She's probably the receptionist.
Raen crosses her arms, pouting.
Raen: "Hey, dork face—just get this over with and let's go already."
Dante chuckles under his breath.
Dante: "Calm down. I thought you were familiar with the place, no?"
She scowls, irritation flashing across her face.
Raen: "So what if I am? Doesn't mean I like wasting time, you motherf***er."
He snickers, clearly enjoying her short temper.
Dante: "Oh, pipe down, drama queen. It hasn't even been two minutes and you're already fired up, huh?"
Her eyes narrow; both hands curl into fists at her sides.
Raen (through gritted teeth): "Shut up. Just—shut up! You're so damn annoying!"
Dante raises his hands in mock surrender, a teasing grin tugging at his lips.
Dante: "And yet, you still stick around me. Interesting."
Raen groans, turning away to hide the faint blush creeping onto her cheeks.
Dante leans against the counter casually smirking. "Aww is that princess mad at Me You're supposed to be happy, rude, and bitchy like always."
Raen's eyebrow twitches, anger rising with every word.
Raen: "Keep talking, and I'll rearrange that smug face of yours."
He chuckles, clearly enjoying himself.
Dante: "There it is. The Raen I know."
As their bickering continues, the lobby doors slide open.
A group of guild members stride in, their armor reflecting the lobby's cold light. The leader, a tall man with slicked-back dark hair and a confident grin, notices the duo immediately.
He tilts his head, curiosity sparking Guild Leader: "Well, well. What do we have here?"
He walks over, hands casually tucked into his coat pockets.
Guild Leader: "Sorry to interrupt, but I couldn't help but notice—wait a minute… if it isn't the mischievous and cunning Raen Arclight."
Raen scoffs, looking away with clear disdain.
Raen: "Shut up, Renji. Nobody wants to hear your taunts, buster."
Renji laughs, unbothered, and strolls to the counter to clock in. His eyes drift toward Dante, standing beside her with his usual smug composure.
Renji: "Ohhh, who's this? Don't tell me this handsome guy's your husband, Raen?"
Without missing a beat, Raen smirks.
Raen: "Surprisingly enough, yeah. He's my husband. What about it?"
Dante's eyebrows lift, a bit of surprise flickering across his face before he smirks, amused.
Dante (thinking): Huh… didn't expect that one.
Renji whistles softly.
Renji: "Lucky you, Arclight. He's quite the looker. Handsome, confident… good taste, I'll give you that."
Raen folds her arms, half smirking, half annoyed.
Raen: "Yeah, yeah. Don't get jealous now."
Renji chuckles, glancing between the two.
Renji: "Relax, I'm just saying—didn't expect Raen to settle down. Thought she'd die before calling anyone husband."
Raen: "Keep talking, and you will be the one dying, Renji."
Before she can escalate, Dante steps forward slightly, hands still in his pockets. His tone stays light, almost friendly—
but there's an edge under it.
Dante: "So, you like making jokes at my expense? I can appreciate humor…"
He tilts his head, his blue eyes narrowing slightly.
Dante: "…as long as you can handle the punchline."
For a moment, Renji freezes. The temperature seems to drop. Dante's faint smile doesn't reach his eyes—it's sharp, cutting.
The quiet hum of magic or cursed energy (depending on your world's system) flickers in the air like static.
Renji (nervously chuckling): "Heh, easy there, pal. Just a joke, no harm done."
Dante: "Good. Because if it wasn't…"
He pauses, his gaze locking with Renji's.
"…you'd be the first to know."
The tension is suffocating—until Raen lets out a sigh, crossing her arms.
Raen: "Great. You scared him off already. Happy now?"
Dante (grinning again): "You started it, princess."
Renji clears his throat, stepping back with an awkward laugh.
Renji: "Yeah… well, nice to meet you, Dante. You two make a cute couple."
He turns quickly to his guildmates.
Renji (to his team): "Come on, let's go. Before I say something else that gets me killed."
They walk off, whispering among themselves.
Raen glances at Dante, unimpressed but amused.
Raen: "You didn't have to threaten him."
Dante (smirking): "I didn't threaten him. I just… made sure he knew where to stand."
Raen (rolling her eyes): "You really think you're smooth, don't you?"
Dante: "No. I know I am."
Raen's glare meets his smirk—sparks fly again, but this time it's not anger alone.
Raen huffs, looking away to hide the faint redness on her cheeks.
Raen: "Tch… don't flatter yourself."
Dante smirks, leaning casually against the counter.
Dante: "You're blushing, princess."
Raen (snapping back): "It's called irritation, dumbass!"
Before Dante can respond, the lights in the lobby flicker—once, twice—and then steady into a dim crimson hue. The hum of energy in the tower grows louder, deeper, almost like a heartbeat.
The receptionist straightens abruptly, a flicker of panic in her eyes.
Receptionist: "W-wait… that shouldn't be happening. The tower's power core—it's being tampered with."
Dante's expression hardens, his playful attitude melting into calm focus.
Dante: "Tampered with? By who?"
Before she can answer, the ground trembles slightly—a low boom echoes through the glass walls. Fragments of light ripple through the building's surface like disturbed water.
Raen's hand goes to her weapon.
Raen: "You've got to be kidding me. Not again."
Dante (grinning faintly): "Guess our date just turned into a job."
The two exchange a knowing glance—mocking, familiar, but also laced with a quiet trust.
Raen: "You take the west side. I'll sweep the elevators."
Dante: "Try not to break too many things this time."
Raen: "No promises."
They move out in sync, the once-bantering duo now all business—boots echoing through the shimmering hallways as the Glass Tower begins to awaken to whatever danger is rising inside.
The air inside the Glass Tower was thick with static, the hum beneath the floor now a deep, rhythmic pulse. The lights along the walls flickered between white and blood-red.
Dante moved down the west corridor, his sharp blue eyes scanning for any sign of movement. The glass floor beneath him glowed faintly, each step sending ripples of light across the transparent panels.
Dante (to himself): "Whatever's messing with the power core… it's not human."
A loud crack echoed through the hallway—then another, like glass shattering somewhere deeper in the structure. He broke into a sprint, coat trailing behind him.
Cut to: Raen — descending a spiral staircase.
SFX: THUD... THUD... THUD... — Her boots echo through the stairwell.
The deeper she goes, the louder the hum gets.
SFX: VRRRMMMMMM... — The sound vibrates like a swarm of bees trapped inside glass.
Raen (gritting her teeth): "Don't tell me this tower's got a ghost problem now…"
She halts. At the bottom of the stairs, a guild guard slumps against the wall.
SFX: DRIP... DRIP... — Blood trickles down shattered armor.
Raen (kneeling): "Hey! Can you hear me?"
SFX: CRRRRKKK! — The glass beneath the body cracks.
SFX: GLOOP... GLSSHSHH... — Black liquid seeps upward, writhing like veins.
It twists into a humanoid silhouette, faceless—only two glowing red slits where eyes should be.
Raen (low): "You've got to be kidding me."
SFX: SWOOSH! — The creature lunges.
SFX: CLANG! — Raen's blade meets its arm.
SFX: SPLSHHH! — Its body splits apart like ink in water—then reforms into two.
Raen (backing up): "Oh, come on!"
SFX: TKTKTKTK! — Her boots scrape against the glass as she dodges another strike.
Dante (off-screen): "Raen! What's going on?"
SFX: CRAAAASH! — A wall beside Dante explodes as black tendrils burst through.
SFX: KSHHHT! — Glass shrapnel whirls past him.
He raises his palm—
SFX: FWOOOM! — A wave of pale energy ripples outward, deflecting the shards.
Dante (smirking): "Guess I'm not missing out on the fun after all."
SFX: GLOOP... GLOOP... GLOOP... — More creatures crawl from mirrors, windows, and the glossy lobby floor.
Their shapes shimmer—distorted reflections of Raen and Dante themselves.
Raen: "They're using the tower's glass as a conduit—like a nest!"
Dante: "Then we'll break their little playground."
SFX: CRRRZZZHH! — Energy flares from Dante's hands, arcs of white-blue light crawling across his arms.
SFX: WHOOM! — The floor glows beneath
Narrator:
Light meets shadow—fear meets defiance.
The first battle within the Glass Tower begins.
SFX: BOOOOM! — Impact echoes as the clash ignites.