AN: Wahaha, the long awaited return of the Lady has finally come…and will go away soon again. (Gotta scoot to college now T-T) And what have I brought as a returning writer? Well, this DMC fic.

To my new readers, hope you like it!

Let's rock!

-LVS

Prologue

A fair request should be followed by the deed in silence.

Dante Alighieri, The Divine Comedy


"Nero?" Kyrie approached the silver-haired Holy Knight in the pantheon of the Order's fortress.

The fortress, which was still recovering from the incident that happened a year ago, decorated itself with mixed debris but still looked fairly magnificent.

Fortuna was still a majestic place. And so was its people...

Kyrie let her voice trail with a mix of worry and sympathy for the troubled Knight. She approached hesitantly and longingly for Nero's thoughts.

She bit her lip. Still uncertain, she waited for his answer.

"Hm?" he began.

Nero who was resting his arms on the cool marble turned to face his brunette lady. He was deep in thought before she called him but he chose to hide his emotions. He didn't want to worry Kyrie. He thought that whatever burden he has, solely he will carry it.

He gave Kyrie a calming look and gestured for her to stay by his side. "What is it Kyrie? Is something troubling you?" He jerked his head sideways then tapped the side of the marble.

Kyrie clasped her hands together and shook her head, "No…It's just that, ever since we saw that fortuneteller… I mean, I was thinking about what he told us." She slightly tilted her head and weaved her brows as she waited for Nero's reply.

Nero gave a deep sigh in return for Kyrie's question and positioned himself to look at the blue horizon. He faced away from her and looked down at his possessed arm.

Clutching it fervently, he frowned, "Kyrie… Listen, I know that what that man said could really be something that can help me be truly human again but… It doesn't matter now. You have accepted me for what I've become. That's…enough for me," He paused to edit then weaved a look of confusion, "...unless…" His tone was filled with fear as he turned and looked directly at Kyrie's eyes.

She shook her head frantically then pursed her lips, "Oh no! It's not like that. It's just, I'm worried about you. Are you really okay with your condition?" She moved in close enough to hear him breathing. She didn't break the focus in his eyes. But he looked away. He clenched his right fist tight and closed his eyes to think.

What was he thinking exactly? Kyrie questioned herself, hoping that Nero would open up to her, just like always. She never was one for secrets... Expecially if Nero was the one keeping something from her.

He shrugged. "I-I don't know…"

He said no more for quite a while… Kyrie patiently waited for him to get his thoughts straight.

He felt his claws tapping the middle of his palm. It made him think of what could have been if he never had the demon power inscribed in him. It hurt to think that his purpose as a Knight of relinquishing the world of demons has come quite sardonically with himself.

It's not that he wanted to revert back in time and be a normal human being. He has made it clear to himself that he has dedicated his life to being a Knight for Sparda and in the process not alienating his social statures… Not forgetting about his morals… Never to leave Kyrie in distress.

Always being a person first before a Knight.

Before Nero had another chance to look away, she quickly cupped his face with both hands and turned his head to face her. She cleared her throat then spoke, "Tell me honestly what you feel." She smiled then, her gentle smile, "Please?" She let go then and watched as Nero straightened up.

Nero inhaled deeply and scratched his head. "Honestly… I don't feel as human as before. It's strange; there are even times when I feel the yearning for more power. It's like something inside of me is slowly consuming my soul… The more I fight, the more I feel the urge to use my power but whenever I use it, it consummates my stamina… I need this power to protect you…It will help in keeping order but I fear that because of its attachment to my body, it might corrupt my mind. I could hurt you…That's what I fear." He sounded very blunt but the truth was, everything that he said to Kyrie made him feel more uncertain about himself. It was difficult to talk about. But, he didn't want Kyrie to worry about it. No, not now. Not ever. But, it just did now, I guess... Damn.

She placed her hand into his cheek and soothed it, "You'll never hurt me. I know you won't."

"Then…" He overlapped his demon-hand into hers and gripped it tenderly, "That's all I need." He pulled her hand down so that they were holding hands; he creased his brows but gave her a smirk.

He gestured for the both of them to get inside but when they were half-way there, Kyrie halted and tugged on his sleeve, "But still," She began, "if what you said about your power consuming you is really serious then maybe, we should consider it anyway." She snickered because of her optimism. She was never one to give up a fight.

He let go of his grasp and walked a few paces. He placed both hands on his waist and turned to her with an almost bewildered expression, "I don't know Kyrie." He said playfully, "We don't even know if that doctor really exists. And if she did, we don't have any leads on her whereabouts. I don't even think we can find someone to help us." He crossed his arms and waited for her to speak.

He watched as Kyrie took two steps forward and pressed a finger above her lips in thought.

"Hm… well that's not entirely true. Now, who we know that's had a lot of connections in the supernatural business?" Kyrie mused as she toyed with her necklace. She pursed her lips as she waited for her expected answer.

Nero cocked a brow then raked his hair, "Oh no," He began shaking his head as Kyrie looked at him sinisterly, "Not him!"

"You know he's our only shot on finding the doctor Nero."

I cut her short, "If, we're going to find the doctor." He made a hold-on-a-minute sign with his index finger and spoke matter-of-factly.

"We are actually." She grinned.

He sighed, "Kyrie…" She shook her head then came towards him. Before he could say anything else, Kyrie laced her arms around him. Nero quickly returned the gesture then kissed her head, "Is it what you want? For me to…" he didn't continue his statement. Instead he lifted his beastly arm then clenched his fist.

Nero was even more confused now. He was beginning to think of what Kyrie truly wanted him to become... She told him that she has accepted what he has become and yet, she urges him to take the chance and find a cure.

But.

Is it really her that longs for the latter?

Kyrie pressed her face further into his chest then she slowly looked up to face him, "I want you to be happy. I want you to find peace within yourself. You don't have to do anything that you don't want to." She rested her temple in his chest. She listened to his heart beating…it was steady, in control. Still human, she thought.

And the warmth of his body justified her belief that he hasn't changed, he will be forever what she wanted. She knew that Nero was still Nero despite the changes he has been through… He still has a heart doesn't he?

"It's your choice Nero. Whatever you will, it will be mine as well."

He held her tightly then and cradled her neck gently. He looked into Kyrie's clear and beautiful eyes knowing that he could never lie to her if he did…and maybe even, he couldn't lie to himself…And true enough his true emotions took over his thoughts and he began his self confession.

He wanted relief from the changes and yet, he couldn't possibly let go of his powers now. He needed it. Didn't he? Then again, if he was just an ordinary mercenary, would it be easier? For Kyrie? For himself? And if someone could help him, would that person know a way to make him look and feel normal but still keep his demon powers?

He needed answers. The more he looked into it, the more he was drawn to satisfy his curiosity. Because deep inside of him, he knew what he wanted. And that was…to know if there really was a chance. I need to go.

But, I have to go alone, I can't risk Kyrie.

"Kyrie…" she gave Nero a loving look as they held close in each other's arms as he called out her name. He looked at her intently yet gently. Then, he finally sighed.

"Yes?" she asked with her calm voice.

"I'll…consider it." Her face lit up and her smile grew. He groaned in defeat, "But, just because you asked so nicely."

Kyrie hugged him once more then looked up, "Thank you Nero…"

He shrugged, "You know I'm a sucker for those puppy-dog eyes of yours. You're such a cheat!" She let her tongue out but Nero cupped her chin, "Am not!" She argued.

He snickered, "Now, who taught you to become so feisty?"

He smirked then leaned in closer and so did she. Kyrie closed her eyes and both of them readied for a kiss.

I have to go. That's what I'll do. It's what will make the both of us happy… I'll go…but, not now.

Kyrie wrapped her arms around Nero's neck then pulled him in closer. Soon enough, Nero's lips crushed into hers slowly but tenderly molding into each other's creases.

It was great. It calmed him and reminded him that whatever may happen, someone would be there at his side.

Kyrie stopped to breathe for air. She was a little short-breathed so she rested her temple just beneath his chin, "I am going with you aren't I?" She fiddled with her medallion and felt Nero's deep exhalation. It was a sign of his weariness. "Nero?" She tilted her head up and saw Nero's bemused expression turn into a smug. He kissed her brow then craned her neck to rest on his shoulder, "Aha. Don't push it."

The truth is Kyrie's coming a long would be the greatest of my worries. It didn't matter much to me whether or not that idiot senior of mine who gave me Yamato could help me. I doubt that he'll do anyway. It was fine, I could do it. Because despite all the things that I told Kyrie, about the mysterious cleric of a doctor, I did have a lead.

NERO

My mind lingered back to the events that happened that night.

When Kyrie left that tent during the Knight's festival, I stayed a few minutes behind. I didn't ask much information about the female doctor the old hooded man told us about. In fact, we didn't even talk as much. It was only when I was about to leave the tent that he told me a vital key for my investigation.

He said, "You who are alike to Sparda's kin have a chance to right the wrong or if you willed, leave all things undone. There will be a gathering of the chosen ones. They themselves may not know of it but one such person to be gathered can serve as the key to your salvation. She can help you. The doctor…" He pointed at my demon-possessed hand then. It was glowing just like he predicted before our conversation. He was very amused at my arm's reaction that I could even feel his grin despite the heavy cloak that wound on his head. "It is written boy-Knight, you are given another chance. You and the other twin son of Sparda…"

The other son of Sparda? My brows creased more.

"Sic erat n fatis...Sic itur ad astra..." He whispered something in Latin. I didn't bother to think of what it could have meant. I knew that it was vital but I would just have to figure that out later. I needed to concentrate on figuring out what the fortuneteller told me.

Even though his words left me more than confused as I already was, he didn't stop there. It was clear to me that he wanted me to find the doctor. But seeing as though he was becoming more unhelpful as he is, I turned around and opened the tent.

And with one step out of the tent, he spoke to me a great deal of information. And that information may change my life…

"The daughter of Seid is who you seek, young Knight." His voice was low and shaky even behind the curtain; I could still feel the echo of his voice.

Daughter of Seid? Who was…? What is he talking about.

And as if he heard my thoughts, he gave me what I needed.

"You seek…"

He gave me her name…He spoke her name in a way that it stuck to my memory and even if I didn't want to know, his voice would always haunt me. I couldn't digest the information at once. It was just a simple name of a girl but it seemed as if her name had some kind of power over me. It was…peculiar.

That name that was unspoken of by all people who know of Sparda's legacy. Even Seid was kept secret from the Order. But Nero knew at least who he was. Seid Sinclair was the right hand-man of Sparda. He was the person who drew the path to seal the gates to the human and demon world… It is said that he was neither fully human nor fully demon. It is even rumored that he was of heavenly descent. A Celestial of mysterious abilities. And most importantly, he was Sparda's lone companion. But what happened exactly? Who is Seid's descendant? And what does the gathering have to do with my salvation?

"She's your salvation Nero. Yours and your pretty lady love."

When I reentered the curtain, I found not even the shadow of the old fortuneteller. All I saw was the lowly lit candle on the woody table. But, I still felt his presence. He was still there watching me…

I don't even know if I should believe him…

"Choose your destiny Nero…"

"What the hell are you talking about?"

"Pray after your returning to the world,

When, after your long journeying, you've rested, "

…may you remember me…"

Then the man's voice faded. He said no more leaving me to my demise.

And true enough, I never forgot her name. I never forgot what he had told me. I never forgot everything… The haunting of his words led me to my decision.

I was going to search for my destiny...

The fortuneteller's latin phrase wrung in Nero's thoughts as he held Kyrie in his arms. He was already planning his quest for the doctor...he was planning for the success of his salvation.

He dared not to let Kyrie into his thoughts, all he did was mask his worry and his fear. He slowly let go of Kyrie and gestured for them to walk. Kyrie saw the tension in his face and so she held his hand to re-assure him. The walked calmly across the balcony and never looked back at the now setting sun.

He gave Kyrie a soft smile as they walked then kissed her forehead, "Sic erat in fatis...Sic itur ad astra..."

Kyrie cringed at his weird statement, "What are you mumbling about Nero?"

Nero laughed then but didn't tell her why. He didn't give her the answer she wanted, "It's nothing..."

Kyrie jabbed his arm in irriation then gave him a slight push, "Liar!"

He gave her a grin but said no more. He only spoke to himself,

Thus it was written in destiny... Thus, I follow the stars.

AN: This is the revised version of my DMC fic, "Traded Providence…" I have decided to change the setting from DMC3 to DMC4. Although, I will still use what I have posted on the earlier posted fic, but minor changes will be made. My plotline will still have a basis from Dante Alighieri's masterpiece, Divine Comedy.

Some facts about the whole story line in DMC4 (esp. Nero's story) has been altered to fit my plotline.

There will be OCs aside from the mentioned and still unnamed female doctor.

And Dante will have a love interest.

Some characters from DMC3 might re-appear too 

Hope you leave me comments! Next update will be on Monday, hopefully.

The quote, "Pray…" came from a context in Divine Comedy.

The Latin sayings, Sic erat in fatis and Sic itur ad astra means, "Thus, it was written in destiny...Thus, you go to the stars..."

Oh yeah, if you guys have time and you're interested in Vampires, check out my story in entitled, "P.S I Bite: The Vampire Social Club" it got nominated for the 3rd season of the Fiction and Prose Supernatural Stories awards. Check my homepage.

Thanks in advance!

Love? Hate? Not going anywhere,

-LVS