Thank you for joining the newest chapter of 'Dawnwind'. These notes are being written after the completion of this chapter, which I hope you will thoroughly enjoy. XD Written to the beautiful lyrics of Leona Lewis' 'My Hands', I composed this inspiration in honor of Devil May Cry fanfiction and the Sailor Scouts. Stellar DMC fanfiction and Sailor Moon aren't my only sources of inspiration, though. The International Trailer for XIII provided a great deal of motivation (wink wink: the usage of My Hands). I love picturing Snow and his friends in their own 'My Hands' video. XD

Speaking of the International Trailer, I watched it last night, and then read through Hope's story. Apparently, he made an attempt at Snow's life-and then the big hearted idiot protected him. After reading about Hope's assassination attempt, I was sent into a fuming rage. XD Wow, that just makes me love Dawnwind's crew even more.

Near the end of the chapter, Nero sheathes his blade and utters the word 'dumbass'. Remember, Dante gave him the blade Yamato at the end of DMC4. Read on and you'll catch my drift. XD

Expect a dazzling appearance next chapter. And NO, it isn't going to be Lightning. Enjoy!


If Nero was protective over Snow in the past, he became over-protective of Snow after a certain night.

He spoke not a word of his appreciation, but words weren't needed. He kept himself at Snow's side, and threatened to attack anyone that wished to offend him. Nero's list of offenses including the wrong type of glare, and seemingly harmless comments. Snow took Nero's demeanor in with the warmest smiles, realizing he wouldn't have gotten along with his first band of 'friends'.

Together, the devil slayer and blonde stallion led their band. Time was an odd force as they sought vaults of knowledge, passing by slowly yet swiftly. The hours could not be controlled as they pondered the fates of two missing companions, but slowly unearthed information that would lead them on their way. Returning to Mana'kil, Nero demanded an audience with the mayor-and his request was quickly fulfilled. After learning of the team's eventful night, the sordid mayor (who seemed to have a grip on the future) pointed them in the direction of Nalanil Kingdom. There, they would find even more answers in the hands of the Nalanil King. From what Nero found out, though, the kingdom was in severe disarray.

The little squadron would have a grand time trying to uncover anything.

There was still so much to understand. Dante being the Ninth Gatekeeper, Vergil leading the Gibraltar Order, Gibraltar himself, the remaining two gates...and, of course, the endangered Serah. Vergil claimed she was meant to be Gibraltar's mate, and would usher in a 'new stage of eternity', but in order to secure his goal, he needed his brother thrown into the mix. Nero hit the nail on the head by saying Dante was meant to meet Snow, for everything was falling into place.

It was almost impossible to keep track of things. The Gibraltar Order, represented by the Grand Beast Gibraltar himself, featured a large roster of elite demons. The devils were infused with inhumane power, power that transcended anything either Nero or Dante had encountered in the past. Vergil was at the head of the Order, working on projects the team still couldn't fathom. Someone was working at his side, conducting the demons on their routes. Dante or Nero couldn't identify him, but only knew he had played a rather large part in Nero's recent past.

Nero had a sinking feeling about his identity, but didn't want to tread in sick territory. Kyrie would recognize him as well, and would recoil in fear. He wasn't exactly the most popular apple of the bunch.

The most advanced technology swept through Nalanil. Buildings, constructed with the greatest pride, sat underneath the heavens as painstakingly crafted diamonds. Airships soared through a silvery blue ether, chocobos transported riders on land, and clouds of inhabitants conducted their business. With the heavy traffic came heavy attention, which Nero felt he needed to protect Snow from. The blonde stallion received clouds of euphoric smiles and winks, none of which were pleasing to the novice slayer. If anyone even thought of glancing at Snow, they were immediately discouraged. If anyone managed to get in a glance, they were instantly turned off.

No one fancied having their head bitten off.

The Nalanilians had no qualms about allowing their visitors to see the King. Excitement flooded their hearts and faces over requests to enter the palace. The people of Nalanil must've seen them as saviors, considering what the mayor of Mana'kil relayed to them. As the band received entry into the palace, Snow reflected on the clouds of Nalanilians. Many clouds had gathered in an attempt to convey a message, vehement and passionate about their mission. Even children gathered to get their messages across, reminding Team Nora of the gatherings in Cocoon. People rebelled against the Purge, and none of them were willing to stand down.

As soon as the band stepped through the palace entrance, hearts crept into a black void. The grand palace, while beautiful in nature, was deathly quiet. Not even the sentinels spoke, but they exchanged glances and whispers. No one wanted to admit it, but every member of the team felt rather small inside of the palace. "Looks like we're stepping into a party," Gadot remarked as Nero unsheathed his blade, still standing at Snow's side. "Prepare to live it up, team. We're going to party harder than we've ever partied before."

"I'll start the party before anyone else does," a novice hunter said, brandishing his eternal companion. He stepped in front of Snow and continued down the designated path, led by a pair of palace sentinels. A puppy-eyed Snow turned to Gadot, who supplied him with a shrug in return. Smiling, a nonchalant Lady followed the young devil slayer, and the remainder of the team followed suit. Snow was the last to follow, trailing behind his friends with a heavy heart. He missed Dante with a tremendous ache, but as deep as that ache was...

That wasn't the only problem.

The only sounds echoing throughout the palace halls were footsteps. Snow continued to trail behind his friends, and all of them poured into the King's throne room. Yuge and Maqui gasped once they were in the King's presence, scanning the world that had opened around them. The throne room was a completely different world, seemingly much larger than the rest of the palace. Lush crystals littered the throne room, singing on curtains and even portraits of ancient sovereigns.

The band's escorts put forth a bow, both of them going doing on one knee. Their sovereign, a burly Nalanilian male, dismissed them with a smile and a wave. "I understand you wish to see me," he said, his deep yet gentle voice booming throughout the throne room. His words were directed at Snow's band.

"Thank you for requesting an audience. I enjoy having guests in my kingdom."

Anger wrinkled Nero's face. Still smiling, and perfectly calm, Lady took a place at the novice slayer's side. "If you don't mind me asking, Your Highness," Lebreau asked, performing a curtsy. "Why is this place so quiet? Are we interrupting something?"

As all Nalanilians were, the muscular king was as white as the snow. Bright blue eyes greeted the world, filled with the brilliance of a bluebird's song. "Of course you aren't," the sovereign assured her, beaming from ear to ear. "My sentinels and I merely meditating. We spend a great deal of the day thanking the heavens for our blessings. And during that time, we communicate with each other through the bridges of our minds."

Clearly uncomfortable with the absence of formalities, Snow stepped forward. "Your Majesty, my name's Snow," the stallion said, voice trembling over the rocks of anxiety. "I have come to you with my closest friends. That's Gadot, Lebreau, Yuge, Maqui, Lady and-"

"The guy that's going to kick your ass if you don't help us," a novice hunter snarled, tightening the grip on his blade. Normally, one would have expected a crowd to gasp in response to Nero's attitude, but his companions gave him a wide-eyed look of admiration. Snow wore the face of a thoroughly worried yet immensely appreciative fawn. Nero threw him a reassuring glance, then took several steps forward.

"We were directed here by the Mana'kil mayor, Pietra. Ring any bells?"

The sovereign rubbed at his chin, eyes peering Heavenward. "Ah, yes," he said, after a moment's silence. "Pietra Lunadel, grandfather of Lunales Mana'kil the Third. We speak to each other through our bridges, bold young one."

"So you already know why we're here," a tight-faced Nero said, folding his arms. "Unless he didn't appreciate the opportunity to 'show and tell'."

Gadot and Lady exchanged a roguish smile, eyes twinkling with mischief and pride. The sovereign of Nalanil burst into uproarious laughter, evidently amused by Nero's demeanor. "I wish I had sentinels with your composure," he said amidst laughter. "Things would run a lot smoother!"

Snow stepped forward, raising a balled hand. Before he could issue a syllable, though, Nero tightened his grip on the baton. "What do you know about the Ninth Gatekeeper?" the novice slayer asked, eyes glowing with wildfire. "Tell us everything you've got, old man, unless you'd like to be roasted over an open fire!"

The king spent several more moments in laughter. His face couldn't have been any warmer, and his voice couldn't have been any sweeter. "I know a great deal about the Ninth Gatekeeper," he said, glowing with warm delight. "He sealed himself away out of a broken heart, in order to secure the life of Gibraltar's maiden. Oh, and just a few moments ago, he entered the Vault."

Hearts flew beyond the heavens. A collective gasp rose from the team, and Snow's eyes became saucers. "The Vault?!" he cried out, voice laden with desparation and sorrow. "He just entered the Vault?! Were you able to see him, Your Highness?!"

"Let's take this one step at a time," Gadot growled, eyes roaring with a lion's flames. "What in the hell is this Vault?!"

The king of Nalanil could have charmed a dragon out of his cavern. "Why, I believe I can answer both inquiries at once. The Vault exists in a realm that's entirely detached from us mortals. The Vault allows its chosen souls to peer into the past, and even to the future. I did not see your companion wander into the Vault, but I did open the door for him."

"So you've spoken to him," the Villiers roared, sadness and frustration becoming. "You must've spoken to him minutes ago!"

Lady, devoid of her usual mischievous smile, put her hands onto her hips. "What's up, Your Majesty? Why did you invite Dante into your playhouse?" she asked, without issuing the slightest bit of childlike glee. She was rarely without merriment, but the king had lost his rights to a plesant demeanor. The recipient of her anger grinned, speaking as if he merely wanted dinner.

"Why, I was only trying to assist him in a decision. He wanted to return to our mortal realm after the elimination of the Tenth and Eleventh Gates, just so he could ensure a happy future for his beloved Snow. I nudged him into a different direction, just to make sure he would be happy with his chosen path. Evidently, by his decision to dive into the Vault, he wasn't all that happy."

"You...how could you?!"

Roaring as a wounded, disconsolate wolf, Snow rushed out at the laughing sovereign. Nero was the first to rush after him, and the rest of the team followed suit. All of them were sent flying by a brilliant flash of light, which was evidently the king's shield. "You didn't think I'd leave myself unprotected, did you?" the sovereign asked, grinning triumphantly. While Nero and Lady assisted Snow to his feet, Gadot regained his composure on his own.

"What kind of hellhole did you throw him in, you son of a bitch?!"

Snow winced as the king spoke, feeling daggers bury themselves into his bleeding heart. "Why, I'm merely showing him the truth," the king began, rising from his chair. "I'm showing him what will happen if he chooses the proper path. If he bows out of your commander's life quietly, he'll settle down with Gibraltar's maiden and live a happy, peaceful life! One without demons, devil slayers, the gates of Hell-"

"Stop it! Stop it, please! Tell him I love him! Please!"

Nero and Maqui exchanged a stern glance, then eyed the king. For a moment, the sovereign of Nalanil looked as if he wished to relent, moved by the weighty emotion in Snow's voice. The momentary compassion was just that, though: momentary. "You poor thing," the king cooed, smiling as a feline with a canary. "You're clinging so desperately to a curse, when you could live happily with a maiden-the maiden of your dreams! You could build a family, a home-"

"That's what he's seeing right now, isn't it?!" Yuge snapped, hands balled into fists. "Dante's seeing Snow share an alternative future with Serah, isn't he?!"

"That's right, little one," the king purred, poisoning the very air with his voice. "And the future's rather beautiful, too. Snow's raising a beautiful little daughter named Nora, and an adorable chocobo farm. His family watches the fireworks show every night, and every night Serah-"

Snow pounded the ground with each word, alarming Lady. "Stop it! Stop it stop it stop it! Just stop it!"

Dante's business partner, for the second time in her life, found herself moved by the sight of emotion. She stood several inches away from Snow, wide-eyed and teary-eyed from the display of sadness. "Stop it," the Villiers repeated, much quieter but nonetheless grievous. All eyes were on him, including the wide eyes of the king. His head was bowed, and he was on all fours, but that didn't dampen the significance of his heart's burdens.

"Stop it!"

"Why? Are you blind, Snow Villiers? Can you not see the beautiful future before you? Do you not want a family, an adoring wife?!"

The members of Team Nora held their eyes on him, eyes filled with sorrow and the greatest concern. A wide-eyed Lady found herself blushing as she listened to Snow, who did not hesitate to open his heart. "I love her, yes," he said, dangerously close to sobbing. Slowly he rose to his feet, and bravely faced the king with tight fists.

"But she isn't the one! She isn't the one for me! He is my one and only! He is the one I'll devote myself to, now and forever! I'll find him and bring him home! If we decide to start a family, fine, but there are plenty of ways to build a family! We've already got a strong foundation for a family, right here!"

Nero once again brandished his blade. Yuge and Maqui unsheathed their pistols, then exchanged a glance. All of Snow's companions rushed out in front of him, prepared to lay their lives on the line for him. Grinning even brighter than before, the king unsheathed what appeared to be the blade of Nalanil sovereigns. "I've got to knock some sense into you, child," the meaty male snarled, eyes glittering with a lust for blood. "If you're going to share a glorious future with Gibraltar's maiden, your eyes have got to be rid of their clouds!"

At lightning speed, the cackling king bolted towards the band, blade at the ready. Nero and Gadot intercepted his attempted attack on Snow, using both of their blades to repel him. Lady darted several yards away, and prepared both of her handguns. "Tremors awaken, wash away this evil! Firaga!" Yuge roared, unleashing a wave of scarlet flame against Nalanil's sovereign. The wave was instantly repelled, and with it, the young gunner went flying. Snow caught him before he struck the ground, and the two shared a smile.

A snarling Lady set off several rounds, firing with perfect aim. A second passed before her heart plopped onto the ground, due to the king's lightning-quick appearance. She gave off a wide-eyed gasp, but Gadot tackled him before the king's attack could make contact. Snow cried out his oldest friend's name as he burrowed into the wall, tossed by the neck. "I don't know why you're angry with me," the sovereign said, grinning at the distress of Snow's forces. If he bared fangs, no one would have been surprised.

"He's the one accepting your true fate! And after the future unfolds before his eyes, he'll settle into a nice, glorious dream-a dream he agreed to watch! He won't suffer, you'll have your wonderful family-what more could you ask for?!"

"I don't want any of this pre-determined bullcrap," Snow snapped, arms outstretched. His usage of the word 'bullcrap' earned an ephemeral grin from Gadot. "I'll live the way I see fit, and I want to share my life with him! You aren't doing anything but taking advantage of a weakened heart!"

"If he's out of the way, you'll have nothing to worry about! Right?" Lebreau asked, arms about Lady's waist in support. "You're trying to have a Son of Sparda knocked out of the ring, but you're forgetting someone-Vergil, his brother! It isn't all easy for you, old wretch!"

"Ah, but there's something you don't know, my sweet maiden," the king said, rubbing his palms together. "I've been infused with the power of Hell by Vergil himself! I've-aaaaaaghhhhh!"

Lady and the rest of the team gasped, alarmed by the sight of a blade protruding from the king's stomach. Gadot grinned once he saw who was responsible for the fatal attack.

"Way to go, Nero! That's the ticket!"

The novice hunter threw him a glance of acknowledgment, then returned his eyes to the wriggling, writhing king. Blood pooled around his feet as the sovereign whimpered, trying his hardest to wrench himself off the young one's blade. Wisps of emerald green and sapphire blue light stole the wind out of the king's body, and the meat of the blade glistened with a bright sheen of blue. With a final cry, the sovereign of Nalanil vanished in a ball of blue light. Silence reigned as Nero sheathed his blade, face displaying a great degree of regret and sadness.

"Dumbass."

He turned to look at Snow, and immediately reflected the stallion's emotions. He, once again, was on all fours. A world of sadness was in the disconsolate blonde's eyes, shining brighter than any star, any diamond. The novice's heart fell as he examined the faces of his teammates, including Lady. Not even Dante's lady friend was exempt from anguish, bearing a great deal of it on her enchanting features. She was confused, bewildered, helpless. Wondering where to turn, wondering what had gone wrong. Wondering what she could have done to save a precious friend's life.

The young slayer lowered his head and shook it. "Dumbass," he repeated, issuing the word in a whisper. "That's all you've ever been, and all you'll ever be."

No one said anything. No one spoke anything, thought anything. Heads were lowered as tears fell, and hearts sank into an oblivion. Nero gritted his teeth as the throne room became unbearably cold, despite the warmth flowing between several hearts. The novice only allowed several minutes to pass before he snapped his eyes open, and broke the silence. Hands balled into fists, he stormed towards Snow and lifted him off the ground.

"What happened to our motto, huh?"

The sadness flowing tnrough Snow's eyes couldn't have been any sweeter. "Wha? Our motto?"

"Yeah, our motto! Team Nora's motto! What happened, Snow? Don't tell me you forgot it!"

Light flooded Snow's heart, and the hearts of his companions. Light gave birth to many tearful smiles. Nero never once attached himself to Team Nora, let alone any other team! "I thought nothing could stop us," the novice slayer said, speaking at the top of his lungs. "I thought we were invincible! Where there's a will, there's a way! Right?!"

Lady and Lebreau exchanged a radiant, watery smile. A smile grew on Snow's face as sunshine spread through a dark horizon. However, before the stallion could issue a response, two familiar faces rushed into the throne room. "He's gone," one of the faces said, earning a look of alarm from Nero. "He's dead! You have taken the life of our king!"

Gadot and Maqui placed themselves protectively in front of Nero. "Our sovereign has fallen," the other face said, raising his choice of weapon. "That young bladesman took him from us!"

"Now wait just a minute," the burly Gadot said, raising his fists. "If you want Nero, you're gonna have to come through us! Nobody messes with a pal of mine and gets away with it!"

"Yeah! No one's gonna mess with Nero! Back off!"

Nero found himself smiling after Snow's admirer spoke, arms outstretched and face firm. Sunshine poured into his heart at such a rate, it overflowed-and it showed, clearly on the face that had suffered so much. "Your companion killed our king," the first sentinel said furiously, raising his firearm. "And for that, he will earn the eternal appreciation of this kingdom!"

Gadot dropped his fists. "Uh, is 'appreciation' some sort of code for 'execution' or something?"

"I think they're rather pleased with what we've done, sweetheart," Lady said with sugary sweet delight, eyeing the bewildered member of Team Nora. "Nobody's going to mess with anyone. Our friends the sentinels weren't too fond of their head honcho."

Before anyone could ask the inevitable question, one of the sentinels provided the required information. "King Dilandou was a cruel ruler," he explained, voice much softer. "He appeared to be sweet and kind, only to lure his subjects into a false sense of security!"

"Must've been how he lured Dante into the Vault," Yuge muttered to Nero, and the novice hunter nodded.

"He killed hundreds of souls, in order to remove all opposition," the sentinel went on, hand over his heart. "He gave no mercy to anyone! If anyone opposed any of his sanctions, they were promptly executed-or forced into captivity!"

"Captivity?" Lady and Lebreau asked simultaneously, exchanging a wide-eyed look of shock. The sentinel continued, nodding passionately.

"Yes, milady! Captivity! He wished to beat your friend into submission, then add him to his list of captives! Now that our horrible king has fled from this realm, we all can live in peace, including your friend!"

"Didja hear that, Snow?" Gadot asked cheekily, nudging his oldest friend in the ribs as two sentinels rushed into the palace, apparently eager to share joyous news. "The king wanted to get busy with you!"

"Whatever," the Villiers said, brushed off his friend's hand. "Like you would have allowed that to happen. I can't believe our newest teammate is responsible for saving an entire kingdom!"

"I didn't try to save anything," an irritated novice said, looking as if he had been forced to eat housefly carcasses. "Now, before I end up becoming a household name, there's something I'd like you to answer. What do we do now, captain?"

"What else?" a beaming Snow said, punching a fist into his right hand. "We move forward."

Radiant smiles showed no opposition to that decision.