"Hey kid." He said with a tired smile. "I see you're still here."

"Dante, are you all right?" I asked as I put the Forced Edge down. "You stormed out of here…."

Like a bat outta Hell! The sword chuckled. Dante and I looked at the blade and then at each other.

"What the fuck!?" Dante asked. "Did the sword just…."

Yes I can speak. Hello Delia. Dante looked at the sword then at me then did something I didn't think was possible: Dante passed out!

Chapter 3: Foretold Battle Part 1 (Dante/Delia's POV)

I woke up and shot straight up out of bed. Maybe I had too much on my plate. I thought. Cause there is no way in fucking Hell my father could be in that sword….There is no way I'm a DAME! I ran downstairs and glared at Nero then at the blade.

"There is no way I'm a fucking DAME!" I snarled. Nero looked away at the blade then at me with angered eyes.

"Dante, what the hell is up with you? Why would your father lie to you?"

"I….I…I just know." I said. I wanted to blow up, tear up the place but Nero looked on edge. He looks worse then Verge when he's upset. "Look kid, I've checked myself over more times than I can count and there is no way I'm a dame!"

"Well if you'd get your head out of your ass I'd fill you in." Nero growled. I glared at him. Who the fuck was he to be talking to me like that? I picked up my guns and aimed them at his head, right in between the eyes. I gasped when he aimed the Blue Rose at me without even battin' an eyelash.

"Now you listen to me and stop with the bitchy fits for one minute." Nero commanded, not lowering his weapon. "Your father did what he did to protect you. Do you think it was easy for him to pretend he never had a daughter? And think on this: if he didn't love you, would he have looked out for you?" My hands, for the first time ever, had trembled a bit. I remembered how protective my father had been of me and my mom looking at me with sad eyes. I remember Vergil looking at me with a look that made my skin crawl. I also remembered when I had some serious cramps…

It was winter and I was only twelve. I had woken up with serious stomach pains. I remember curling up in a fetal position and biting back the tears that threatened to spill. This was worse than any training session I had. I felt Vergil's presence next to me, for we slept in the same room. I opened my eyes and was in shock when I saw what he was trying to do; he was sniffing between my legs!

"Verge! What are you doing?!'" I asked as I pushed him away from me. Vergil smirked and tried to come near me again. I scurried off of the bed and ran out of our room. I heard a low growl coming out of him and his eyes had a hungry look in them. I ran to the one place where I would be safe; our Dad's study! As soon as I got there, I slammed the door and hid under my father's favorite chair. A few moments later, Vergil sauntered in and sniffed around. I hugged myself, hoping he wouldn't find me…

"'There you are Dante.'" My brother purred as he looked at me. "'Why don't you play nice?'" I looked at him and smirked. I grabbed a heavy book, which happened to be the book my father was reading at the time. It must have fallen over. Well, this will work!With strength I didn't know I had, I smacked Vergil with it and ran away, screaming. I heard Vergil's howl of pain and his footsteps. I thought I was safe as soon as I had reached the bottom of the stairs. Boy was I wrong, for Vergil jumped down from the top floor, cut off my escape path and tackled me to the ground! He straddled me and purred.

"'You always were a feisty one Dante.'" He whispered in my ear. "'Now it's time to teach you respect...'"

"'Respect this motherfucker!'" I roared as I kneed him in the family jewels, causing him to let me go and get away. I had no idea that my Dad had come in and saw what had happened. I saw his eyes were a deep crimson and I could have sworn I saw the fires of Hell in them. He took me by the hand, put me behind him and took a stance. In his hands was the Forced Edge.

"'Vergil, you are not to touch your sibling.'" Our father said with a deadly calm. "'How dare you…Dante is not, nor will ever belong to you.'"

"'That's where you're wrong Father.'" Vergil said as he picked himself up and looked at me."' I swear upon your grave that I will have what is mine.'" I hid myself into my father's coat and whimpered. I felt one of my father's hands running through my hair lovingly, calming me down immediately. He looked at Vergil and smirked the smirk I had inherited.

"'And even from beyond the grave, I say, hell no.'" Vergil looked at us and hissed, storming off in anger. I looked at my father, who in turn looked at me and smiled.

"'Don't worry my little hellion,'" He said. "'Your intended will come.'"

I looked at Nero and sighed. He didn't deserve my fury. Since we've met, he's been there through thick and thin. Even when we fought, he's been there. I lowered my guns and sat down. I didn't know what to do, say or think. For the first time in my life, I was lost.I felt him sit next to me and waited for me to look at him. I did and smiled a bit.

"Even when I was an asshole, you stuck it out didn't you kid?"

"As if I had much of a choice," Nero chuckled. "But I don't mind it. You keep me on my toes and take no shit from anyone. I like that. You didn't push me away or say 'Oh it's too dangerous' and what other bullshit I blocked out. You let me be."

"I'm just a freak huh?"

"Welcome to the club." Nero said. "I have a Devil Arm as one of my own limbs for God sake. Besides, we're half devils, to humanity and devils, we're always freaks."

The boy has a point. My father's voice pointed out. I looked at the Forced Edge and picked it up. "Is that really you in there Dad?"

Yea, it is. Delia I….

"No, call me Dante." I said. "It's what I'm used to."

But that is not your name my hellion. At least not anymore... You can not go around as a male anymore.

"But I…."

No buts, there is a way to change you but you can not interfere my hellion.

"What is it?" I asked. Nero looked at me but had no clue what my father had up his sleeve. Something told me I wasn't going to like this at all.

Nero and Vergil will have to fight for you. Winner takes all. I looked at the sword as if it had a few dents in it. Nero having to fight Vergil, something didn't click. One, Vergil was dead and two; Nero was not a dirty fighter.

I know you worry for the lad but don't. There's more to it than you think.

"Vergil's dead!" I said.

According to whom? My father asked. Don't underestimate a devil my hellion. We don't go down so quickly.

"Right, if he's not dead then where is he?" I asked. Both Nero and my father didn't have an answer. Even though I smiled in victory, something was gnawing at me….It can't be…

On the outskirts of town, in the ruins from where the Devil tower had stood, a demon in black armor climbed out of the debris and looked around. I had forgotten how much of a slum this place is. He thought as he dusted himself off. But that's the least of my problems. Dante, you are mine...

Who do you think crawled out from the depths of Hell? Review to get more!