Chapter 3
The vivid hues of pink and lavender that streaked the evening sky reflected onto the placid surface of the water in perfect symmetry. The immaculate reflection made it difficult to distinguish where the heavens ended and the ocean began.
Nero sat on a crate at the end of the pier facing the horizon. His elbows were propped on his knees, Blue Rose held in a loose grip by his left hand as he stared at the natural beauty. He hadn't seen any point in finishing his daily responsibilities to The Order if he was just going to be suspended anyhow. He had wondered around aimlessly for a while after leaving Headquarters, his feet eventually carrying him to the docks. It was deserted and served as the ideal location for fulfilling his desire for solitude.
Though he was the only living being at the waterfront, Nero was not alone. He knew this as he heard the soft footfalls of the vampire grow closer and stop within close proximity behind him. A light oceanic breeze carried to him an oddly familiar scent. One he had come to refer to as undead perfume. A sweet floral fragrance mixed with the undeniable stench of a living corpse. It wasn't altogether unpleasant, but he had learned not to trust his senses when it came to vampires.
"You come to kill me?" he asked without turning.
"That was the plan," replied a sweet feminine voice.
Nero tightened his grip on the gun. "You really think you can?"
"I don't know," she confessed. "You are quite dangerous."
He emitted a short, dry laugh and turned to grin at her corrosively. She was young, blonde and attractive. Not from Fortuna or any of the surrounding towns. "I like it that you blood suckers are afraid of me."
Her brow wrinkled and the corners of her lips turned down at the derogatory term he had used to describe her race. "Why would I fear a demon?" she asked.
"I'm not a demon."
Her nose wrinkled in distaste. "You smell like one," she said.
Nero brought Blue Rose up over his shoulder to point at the bridge of her nose. His eyes searched hers. She made no move to attack.
"If you're not scared, why are you just standing there?"
The vampire crossed her arms and let her eyes wonder to the setting sun. The calmness of her features made her look not at all dangerous. Yet, Nero knew better than to lower his guard. He could sense the monster lurking just below the benevolent exterior.
"I don't think Master wants you dead yet," she told him. "He was quite interested to discover the existence of another descendant of Sparda. I think he has plans for you."
Nero huffed. He didn't believe all that rubbish about him being of the Sparda bloodline. That had been a desperate claim made by Sanctus and Sanctus was a liar.
A few years ago, Nero had managed to discover the identity of his mother. It wasn't hard. Fortuna is a small town and birth records are available in the public database. It was a simple matter of sifting through the hundreds within two years of his guessed birthday and picking out those that had no legitimate claim. The most promising was that of Jane Smith – a false name, of course – that had given birth to a son and died a few days after.
Nero had never doubted the rumors that his mother was a prostitute. She could not have been an upstanding citizen to have used an alias on her medical record. But nor was she of the Sparda legacy. The Legendary Dark Knight had sired sons. One of which was Dante. A man Nero would never believe was his father. Not just because he disliked the demon hunter, but also because Dante – even with all his faults – didn't seem like the type of guy to abandon his own child. Of the other son of Sparda, Dante's brother – about who Nero only knew that he had once owned Yamato – the youth doubted just as much.
He could rationalize it any way he chose, but in the end Nero had to admit that he just didn't care who his father was. He had had a father. Not a biological one, but one who had raised him and cared for him. Blood meant little where family was concerned.
"You wanna clue me in on some of these plans?" he asked the blonde blood sucker.
She grinned at him secretively. "You know I won't do that."
He nodded, expecting her answer. "Yeah. It was worth a shot."
The girl shifted her weight and her gaze turned serious. "But I will tell you this; if you continue to slaughter my children, I'm going to be forced to retaliate."
Nero smirked at her. He had no intention of sparing any of the abominations that he came in contact with. Not even the one he was speaking to now.
"Though you may have no qualms about putting your own life on the line," she continued, "I'm sure you would be devastated if anything were to happen to that sweet little girlfriend of yours."
In an instant Nero was on his feet. Blue Rose's barrels were pressed against the vampires forehead in a silent threat. The girl watched him with a flicker of fear in her hazel eyes as he sneered at her.
"You stay the hell away from Kyrie!"
She let her expression soften. "Kyrie," she said and smiled. "That's a pretty name."
With the distinct impression that something had gone horribly wrong, Nero pulled the trigger of his gun but was a second too late in doing so. With a quick twirl of blonde locks the vampire disappeared back in the direction she had come and Nero was left standing on the pier, Blue Rose aimed into thin air.
Slowly Nero lowered the barrel to point at his boots. The threat of expulsion no longer bothered him and suddenly leaving didn't seem like such a bad idea.
Balwin had used superiority to try to convince Nero to leave of his own accord because it just wouldn't be right for a commanding officer of The Order Of The Sword to tell his subordinate that to stay would be to risk loosing the only thing he truly cared about. Nero had become a target of the vampire's wrath. It should have been common knowledge that the many unsuccessful attempts to end the life of the young knight would eventually lead to other forms of revenge. Balwin, being the excellent strategist that he was, must have guessed this.
Nero cursed himself for a fool for not seeing this coming. He could finally understand the expression of pity on the captain's face during their earlier exchange, though he had been too angry then to see any logic in the argument but his own.
He knew there was no hope of convincing Kyrie to leave Fortuna. It was her home and her people. It wasn't the same for Nero. He had always been an outcast. Besides, if Dante was investigating the vampires as Lady claimed, it might be just as dangerous there as it was here. Maybe even more so.
"Dammit!"
Nero hated the thought of leaving. Of not being around to protect Kyrie. But if he was facing exile, he might as well just go. At least if he left by choice he could take his dignity with him.
The twinkle of the first star was overhead as Nero began the walk back home. He took his time, delaying the inevitable explanation to Kyrie due his decision. He dreaded saying goodbye. He also dreaded calling Dante. He honestly didn't know which one would be more painful.
