Disclaimer: I don't own anything about DMC, however, every character in this story other than Dante are mine.
((This story takes place after Devil May Cry and doesn't recognize DMC 2 or DMC 4))
My 4th fic, I'm so excited. Hope you enjoy…
Gods May Die
"Devil Never Cry: the home of the only demon hunter who's saved the world a half a dozen times but doesn't have any business. To make matters worse I'm still in debt to the city," Dante thought sitting kicked back at his desk.
He finished off a slice of pizza then picked his magazine back up to reading position. His trademark red coat rested over his chair as cushioning the weight of his platinum hair-filled head. As he flipped through the pages his crystal blue eyes became lost in a daze of thought.
"I don't even have any company since both of my business partners just go out looking for clients. And Trish took Sparda again; she always makes situations more difficult than they are."
Suddenly, a flash of lightning caught Dante's eye. At first he believed it to be Trish but the sound of rumbling thunder followed by the rain's downpour soon diminished these thoughts. Dante often wondered if he was even needed anymore having defeated Mundus and a few demonic lords trying to succeed him, hell had become slumbered.
Thud-thud-thud Dante's attention turned to the door as a stressful knock pounded on its panel.
"It's open," Dante confirmed not making an effort to get but instead returned to his magazine.
"I see they were right about your carelessness."
Dante dropped the magazine to see a man drenched in water in front of his desk. He was more or less shocked by the lack of water leading from the door to the man's position.
The juggernaut of a figure stood nearly seven feet tall, his physique hidden within a long black coat. His black hair was somewhat curled maybe due to the water and reached down his back slightly beneath his shoulders. Dante's glance, however, couldn't detach from the man's ambient green eyes that seemed to pierce through his soul.
"Well, you got my attention. Who are you?" Dante questioned slightly excited. He even granted the mysterious man with Ebony & Ivory's audience placing them adjacently atop his desk.
"I have many names Dante, just as you do. Some have even stretched the limitations of who I am but in this form you can call me Judas."
The man spoke with great clarity and direction as if he requested respect without demanding it. Recognizing Judas' strength Dante chose to reveal Rebellion sitting alongside his firearms.
"You seem to know about me," Dante stated almost as if it was question.
Judas slightly chuckled, "Yes I can see your whole life's events written on your soul. From your name to your power, even the time of your death."
"Prophet, are you? Well what is someone who can tell one's death doing here?"
"I need your help."
Dante grinned already getting on his feet to grab his weapons, "You're the first client I've had in forever that hasn't attacked me before asking for my help. So what do we have: demonic hordes, a devil lord trying to escape or maybe a power hungry half-demon?"
"So quick to rush into danger head first," Dante looked confused as he walked next to Judas, "I'm not asking the legendary son of Sparda to kill another power hungry devil, I'm asking you to kill a god."
Dante turned in disbelief of what he just heard. Devils where one thing but the man Judas had asked him to kill a god. This was a task that Dante didn't even believe he was ready for.
"You may want to sit down for this," Judas suggested realizing Dante was at a shock from his earlier comment. He tossed the hair from out of his face and in an instance a black mist faded from his body seemingly drying his clothes.
"I'd rather stand," Dante said taking witness to Judas' unique aura, "So tell me are you a god too?"
"Like I said before I have many names and with each of them various titles," Judas shared, "In the sense you're asking me I too am a god. But the humans of this world recognize me by another title."
"Well, it's not like you don't have my attention," Dante prompted.
"Long ago, before your father sealed off the demon and human worlds my brethren & I made the original separation of the two. But a god by the name of Hoenn saw this as an injustice to the demons and deemed that if humanity ever became as powerful in content as the demons that they would be given a chance to reclaim earth. An interpretation you would recognize as Armageddon."
"Hell on earth," Dante spoke silently.
"Yes. In doing so Hoenn charged four gods the responsibility of carrying out Armageddon: war, pestilence, famine and death. But when the time came these gods chose not to follow Hoenn leading him to take matters into his own hands."
"So the four horsemen of Armageddon aren't devils but gods," Dante thought still not understanding the scope of the story.
"Hoenn travelled hell and bore a son with a devil in the hopes that he could spawn a being of ultimate power. But he was unsuccessful for he didn't realize that any child bred from our race would only gain the gift of immortality. But you and your father know that much."
"You mean Mundus is the son of this god?" Dante enquired.
"Yes and his defeat at your hands demonstrated that both races can be perfectly aligned. However, Hoenn has become blinded by his obsession to restore the worlds and seeks to wipe out mortality for his desires."
"If you're a god why don't you stop him?"
"If it was that easy I would have already done so but being one of the gods Hoenn charged with initiating Armageddon I am under his will."
"Wait you're one of the four horsemen?" Dante became shocked.
"That title sounds familiar but I'm more attuned to being called death."
Dante's entire body became frozen in fear as he had never encountered such a being before. The thought of legends ran through his mind as he couldn't dismiss Judas' story but didn't want to accept it either.
"Don't be so surprised Dante," Judas laughed throwing his hand to touch Dante's shoulder.
Dante snapped back drawing Ebony & Ivory at Judas but he only fired at a shadow of Judas' former self. The revealed god of death appeared behind Dante as he fell back to his hands.
"You shouldn't believe all of lore, Dante." Judas said calming the young devil's heart since he hadn't died from Judas' touch. "My power can only be unleashed after the first three horsemen have awakened theirs. Even then I'd have full control over those who would die from my touch.
"If this is true then why do you need my help?"
"Because, Hoenn has found a way to bind the other gods and take their power," I believe once he has all of us he will start Armageddon on his own accord."
"Okay then how do you expect me to kill a god?" Dante asked still not sure if this was in his jurisdiction of world saving. "Even Mundus was able to survive my father's battle and he's just immortal," he continued sarcastically.
Judas raised his hand creating a bright spinning portal in front of Dante.
"If devils can cry then maybe gods can die," Judas grinned as Dante prevented himself from grinning even though Judas mocked him. "To kill Hoenn you must become what you seek to destroy." Dante just waited in silence still confronting his decision mentally. "Once you've entered the portal you'll be shown a path that will lead you to purify both your demonic and human halves. After that becoming a god relies on how much you want it."
"I take it you won't be accompanying me."
"No, I have to remain here so that Hoenn cannot track my movements. Besides if I was to interfere in your quest in any way the heavens would not accept you."
"Fine then, I'll do it," Dante answered, "And don't worry; we can talk about a payment plan when I get back."
"Actually Dante that's why I chose to meet with you in person," Judas voiced stopping Dante's stepping into the portal. "You see if you chose to accept this mission you won't return."
"What do you mean?" Dante questioned, "You can't bring me back."
"No Dante, Armageddon is a predestined event. To stop it a selfless act must be taken."
"I've risked my life to save humanity before and this won't be any different."
"I don't think you understand," Judas voice elated, "I will respect your decision either way but if you wish to stop Armageddon you must forfeit your life."
"For a god you should have more faith," Dante looked back noticing a light shine from outside coming to the conclusion the storm was finally over.
Dante leaped into the portal without a second thought leaving Judas at Devil Never Cry.
"I would like to have faith Dante but I saw your death written over your soul. And even a god could not change your fate. If kill Hoenn you will die."
Suddenly a black haired woman burst through the doors of Devil Never Cry charging pass Judas towards the portal. As Judas reached to grab the woman his hand became still after reading her soul allowing her to escape and the portal to close. He sensed a dramatic shift in the future of the world after looking into her soul and even more the possibility for an alternate future for Dante.
Judas' only concern was what would be the consequences of this mysterious woman's interference.
Don't really know where this story is going but I hope you stick with me as I try to find out. So please R&R.
((Smiles! And I hope you read my other three stories too.))