Hey everyone! Sorry for the long wait! I've finally finished the next chapter. I'm not really going to blame this chapter's delay on school this time...to be honest, I wasn't really that inspired for the longest time...however there were bouts when my muse finally decided to smack me with the creation stick so I could cop out more acceptable work. Anyway, enough of my rambling...on to comments...:D.

SirenaLoreley: Yes an update at last! ^_^ Yeah, I figured since Nero really can't control the "demon" within him yet, I figured that it would be a very violent force of nature when unleashed. I also thought that as time progressed, Nero would eventually be unable to control it, the massacre of the police squadrons was only the first step. As for how Dante will react, I'm afraid he's not going to really catch a glimpse of the demon's power until waaaaay later in the story. Sorry...:( Anyhoo yes Gabrielle will be popping up randomly in the story and will even help our heroes in their later adventures. However, the heroes of which I speak will not exactly be your first guess. ~_^ Moving on, I'm glad you enjoyed the kiss scene, even though scenes involving passionate exchanges have me sitting in front of my laptop staring at the page until I can translate the movie in my head to words on the illuminated screen. ^^; As a side note...if you enjoyed the kiss scene, just wait until you read the sex scenes later. *hint, hint* :D Oooh! Cookies and roses? Thank you! *hugs you and offers to share teh cookies* ^_^

SilverDragon88: Why yes that was their first kiss in this story. All of the other times they were basically just embracing or staring at each other..;P. Aww, thank you. I'm pleased you enjoyed it. :D

Armelle: Aww, thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed the last chapter. Here's another one for you, hot off the press! ^_^

Brittany: Yeah, I kind of stuck it in there at a odd time..sorry..^^; but I'm pleased you enjoyed it. All time favorite? Awww, thanks soo much. *hugs you and gives you flowers*

rainbowalike: I'm pleased that you enjoy the random ideas that pop out of my mind and somehow manage to appear in the story. :D As for the "thank you's" I figure that since you wonderful people take the time to read these rather long chapters, then reply, I should offer a personal thank you along with a few words (or sentences) to answer your questions and what not. ^_^ Thanks, and you rock out loud! :D

Milena: Ah winter break...well I hope you enjoyed yours as much as I did mine...(I spent most of it writing/planning for this story..XD) Anyway, I'm glad you are enjoying the story along with that little "treat" I included for ya'll. ^_^

Terra: Oo; *revives you* I'm glad you're enjoying the story, and yes it is quite long isn't it? ^^ I think you'll be happy to know that as the story progresses, I plan to make the chapters longer...such as this one...and fear not for more has arrived! ^_^

Namarie: Fear not for I have no intentions of killing myself..(the stinkbug flying around the room, however, is a different story...*grabs bottle of rubbing alcohol*). Anyhoo, I'm very pleased that you enjoy this story. ^_^ Oh and thanks for the hug. :D

Monique: You're not alone there...Oo; ----My expression while writing that part ^_^. Yeah, and poor Nero couldn't do anything about it either...bad inner demon! *spanks it, gets roared at* Oo''. Anyhoo, yayz for action, and there's plenty more in this one. :D

milcza: Yeah, I was kind of wondering about that as well...*shrugs* Perhaps there was a slight malfunction? Well, whatever the case, I'm still glad you took the time to rewrite your review...*sniff* You guys are sooo awesome. I love you all. *hands out hugs* I'm very happy that my updates bring you joy. ^_^ A professional...? Me? Really? *3* Aww, thanks, and yeah actually, I'd love to write and publish books....now I just need to write a few manuscripts and find a publisher willing to print the books...

lilianna: Hmmm...*pokes review box* Maybe it got lazy? ^^ Ah well, thanks soo much for writing a re-review...it's wonderful to know that you enjoy this story so much. Aww, I'm glad that this story is helping the DantexNero pairing stay alive. ^_^ *hugs you* You're welcome, and thank you. :D

Michelle: Hello and welcome to the DMC Universe. For your safety, please keep your hands and feet inside the viewing modulator at all times, but feel free to take as many pictures as you like. Thank you and enjoy your ride. :D But all silliness aside, I'm glad you're enjoying the story. I've also read quite a few DantexNero stories on this site, and I'll admit that a lot of them are quite cute, but some do tend to stray a little too far from the story. In a way I guess you could label this as fangirling or something of the matter...I'll admit I fangirl as well, but I usually remind myself of the main objective and make adjustments where required. Ah yes, Nero...even though he is actually quite easy to keep in-character, as a fan-fiction writer, it's always just as easy to send him down the path of the ULTIMATE UKE, or the BAD TEMPERED PUNK a little to quickly. Sure he's more emotional than Dante is...but he's still a rather deep character...if you know what I mean. ^_^

Brillis: :D College exams suck, but they still need to be done...-_-;. Aww, thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed your treat, and the next chapters will have plenty more. :D.

marzennalili: *nods* More characters can also mean more willing sacrifices for later chapters...either that or more allies. *shrugs* Either way, I love additional characters. And fear not for even though I'll have plenty more characters to introduce, Dante, Nero, Vergil, and Salidar will be the main focus of the story. And as a foreshadow, two of the characters will have an interesting connection in later chapters. But I'm not telling which ones...;P Yet anyway. ^_^ Thanks for the support. :D

Arrana: Aaah yes, even love can bloom on a battlefield...I'm glad you enjoyed the kiss, and don't worry, Nero was pretty much oblivious to the fact that that event actually happened...he thought he was actually going to die if I recall...*shrugs* anyway, his side is explained in this chapter...but I'll include more in the next one. :D Fear not, for he isn't going to instantly fall in love with Dante, sure their connection will strengthen, but for the record nothing big is scheduled to happen yet. I'm also pleased that you enjoy this story. ^_^ *hugs*

Wonderer: Writing replies to those who reply is actually quite enjoyable. This especially allows for me to personally thank you guys for how wonderful your support and suggestions are. So thanks very much. ^_^ And thank you too. *gives you cookies*

Heavens Demise: Aww, thanks, and more has arrived. Enjoy. ^_^

Aaahh, another round of replies has come full circle. Thanks so much to all of you wonderful people who take the time to review (and in some cases re-review..*kicks review box*) for this story. It really means a lot to me knowing that I can make your day a little bit brighter since you guys always put a smile on my face. *gives you all Devil May Cry plushies of your choice as well as Lucifer roses and cookies* Thanks again everyone and enjoy the next chapter!

~mgssnake

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Dante growled low in his throat as he glared at a pack of slowly approaching hell spawn. Rebellion's pleated handle was clenched tightly in his gloved hands, the heirloom already dripping with crimson blood. The remains of his overcoat as well as his leather undershirt and pants were practically shredded to the point of unbefitting and his taut skin was slashed and bleeding. The elder slayer panted laboriously as he began to retreat. It seemed the various creatures of the underworld that had been after his blood for years were finally wearing the legendary hunter down, teasing him until he miscalculated his next move. Sweat poured down his chiseled features as his back sharply collided with a solid brick wall. A soft gasp escaped his throat as he quickly glanced behind him. A bird-like demon screeched overhead as it swooped down, raking its poison-laced talons across the hunter's face.

The experienced slayer cried out in pain as the newly created gashes along his right cheek began to weep blood. Anger and rage swelled in his subconscious, his inner demon roaring loudly within the pits of his obsidian soul. Dante's irises gained a crimson tint as he narrowed his eyes. He then ground his teeth together before parting his jaw and unleashing an inhuman roar, the volume of the disturbance rendering the demons closest to him temporarily paralyzed with fear. Joining in a rivaled chorus, the congregating demons quickly amassed in a massive sea of obsidian, the crimson glow of their oblong eyes counterbalancing the deep undertones. Curling his lips into a cynical smirk, Dante surged forth into the demonic sea of writhing bodies.

A discord of shrieks, wails, cries, and roars intermingled over the apocalyptic landscape as the hell bent slayer battled for survival. Though consequentially outnumbered, the experienced hunter valiantly waged war against the army of demons, his shared heart thundering against his quivering rib cage. As Dante quickly slashed through a canine-like demon, a high-pitched cry rang out across the battlefield. The hunter growled low in his throat as he quickly shielded his ears from the piercing cry. The demon legions however slowly staved off their primary emotions of anger and hatred in favor of awaiting the being that called for the momentary cease-fire. Panting heavily from the excursion, the outnumbered slayer quizzically inspected his somewhat peaceful environment. Every surviving demon had ceased their vicious intentions in favor of staring aimlessly into the atmosphere.

Cautiously lowering his sword, Dante soon followed his enemy's example and directed his sapphire blue gaze skyward only to gasp in horror as three familiar crimson spheres hovered menacingly overhead. Pale golden electricity crackled vibrantly between the orbs in a triangular pattern, further emphasizing the invisible deity's power. Following the ominous arrival of the crimson orbs, the overcast sky began to bleed a dull shade of violet and obsidian, thunder crackling menacingly as lightning blazed through the clouds. The hunter continued to stare in disbelief as his long deceased enemy had once again risen to exact revenge for the crimes Sparda had willingly committed against his own kind in order to protect the human race.

"Dante," the hidden deity thundered, the sheer vibrations of its tone causing for the decimated remains of surrounding buildings to crumble. "At last I have found you. And it is in this city where you will finally meet your end at the hands of my new disciple!"

"What the hell are you talking about Mundus?" Dante shouted, a vicious gale assaulting his body following his question.

"Silence!" Mundus roared, thunder crackling afterward to further emphasize his rage. "For many years, I had your brother molded into the warrior you fought against in the confides of the castle atop Mallet Island. Unfortunately, his flaws seemed to outweigh his strengths, therefore in the end, he was defeated and by yourself no less."

"I see you have yet to change as well Mundus," the experienced slayer noted in a sarcastic tone. "Huge ass body, and a tiny brain!"

"Insolent fool!" roared the otherworldly voice. "Do not think for a moment that my newest disciple will be as worthless as your irresolute brother!"

Dante grit his teeth as he clenched his hands into tight fists as Mundus proceeded to laugh in a mocking fashion. Every last member of his family had unwillingly met their untimely deaths at the hands of the false deity. His father had sacrificed his life for the sake of his family and the human world. His mother encountered her grisly death by way of a ferocious demon ambush, and his brother unwillingly came to terms with his end after years of mind-numbing torture and mental corruption by the very hands of the vile demon lord himself. A shuddering sigh passed over the hunter's lips as his eyes slipped closed momentarily in reverence to his deceased family, their combined screams of agony and anguish filtering through the echoing sonic boom of thunder, eventually escalating into a steady crescendo that would surpass even the highest decibel level on the doomed planet.

Following a few moments of silence, the experienced slayer quickly inclined his head, his glowing crimson gaze directed toward the heavens. Crimson tears began to trail down his face as a vicious cry ravaged his vocal cords along with the heart wrenching memories of witnessing both his mother and brother suffer until their very last breath had expired. As the pain of old wounds began to resurface, Dante's inner demon finally seized control. The demon slayer closed his eyes as the familiar persona transformation began. Thunder rumbled ominously overhead as a single bolt of crimson electricity rocketed down toward the ground, striking the half-breed's body in order to assist in the success of the transformation. Dante's inner demon growled as tender pale flesh morphed into a thick hide of obsidian scales. What remained of his once elegant overcoat quickly became rigid, the fabric forming various spikes along the hunter's body. The long and pale digits that were the human half's fingers quickly elongated and stiffened into crimson claws, a similar transformation occurring to his concealed feet. Flowing silver lochs also underwent a drastic change, the fragile chains of proteins hardening to become various spikes, creating a metaphoric helmet to further protect the demon. Upon completion of the half-breed's transformation, the demon offspring of Sparda glared menacingly up at the still hidden deity.

"I have defeated you once before Mundus," Dante commented as he narrowed his luminous eyes. "And with the souls of my dearly departed family by my side, I shall once and for all eradicate you and your lowly apprentice from this world as well as the next."

"You seem confident in your ability to overcome my power," Mundus noted in a philosophical tone. "We shall see if your will is stronger than your heart."

The slayer tilted his head in confusion as lightning blazed violently through the heavens above, before centering at a pivotal position directly over an intact radio spire. Dante shielded his eyes from the resilient flash before slowly lowering his clawed right hand to gaze upon the figure of his opponent. From his vantage point, the apprentice of Mundus appeared to be quite young and thinly built. Unlike the suit of luminous armor his corrupted brother was forced to wear, the foe that stood just out of his focal range did not seem to be adorned with any kind of armor or protective plating what so ever. The hunter scoffed as he crossed his arms. It seemed that the vain deity was losing his touch if the best he could throw at him was nothing more than a mere child.

"You insult my intelligence you pompous imbecile!" Dante jeered as he reverted his attention back to the triumvirate of hovering spheres. "Do you honestly believe a mere child can defeat me?"

"Your arrogance blinds you spawn of Sparda!" the false deity chided. "The boy you see before you is no mere child. He is quite powerful for his size, and I'm sure you would agree when I mention that he is quite a match for you."

The experienced hunter furrowed his brow in confusion as he quickly reverted his gaze to fall upon the figure of his adversary. However, as he shifted his gaze to fall upon the silhouette of the radio spire, he discovered the object to be devoid of any being. His confusion was short lived once his heightened sense of hearing intercepted the discord resulting from displaced wind flowing around an object. Dante's ears twitched slightly as he quickly stepped to his right, just barely missing a swift sword swipe from Mundus's new apprentice. Wrapping the clawed fingers of his right hand around the pleated handle of Rebellion, he quickly turned to face his opponent only to gasp and postpone his counter attack once the identity of his attacker was revealed to him.

"Nero," he breathlessly addressed his right hand falling from his weapon's handle.

The possessed being of the elder's comrade narrowed his eyes as he lunged at the half-breed a second time, his emotionless eyes focused on his prey. The human persona that shared the body of Dante struggled to regain control as concern for the corrupted youth outweighed the urge to destroy Mundus. A resilient flash of lightning yielded the return of Dante's human persona, as well as his natural assets. However, to Nero, the being standing before him was an enemy, and therefore he must eradicate him as soon as possible. His steadfast gaze remained placid as he clenched his demonic right hand, the infected flesh glowing vibrantly as its owner summoned the strength of his own inner demon in order to incapacitate his foe.

"Nero!" the man with sapphire eyes called as he cautiously advanced upon his corrupted comrade. "It's me Dante. Don't you remember me?"

The youth spoke naught a word and instead lunged at his opponent once again, his glowing clawed, right hand extended out. The flabbergasted half-breed exhaled quickly before leaping out of Nero's path, however the luminous claws managed to tear away a sliver of the remnants of his clothes. Once again, Dante called out to the youth, pleading with him to awake from his daze, and to remember their relationship. Furthermore, every attempt at breaking the spell that firmly held Nero entangled was met with another vicious attack. Mundus roared with laughter as the remaining son of Sparda continued with his fool hearty attempts to seize control of the young man's emotions. Eventually a half hour passes with little success. Dante panted as he dodged yet another sword swipe from the youth's curved blade. The half-breed was severely wounded, his various contusions weeping vital crimson fluid. The elder hunter gazed upon his comrade once more with tear-laden sapphire eyes before chancing the final option. Pushing his battered body forward, he hastily wrapped his arms around Nero's tense figure.

"Nero," he whispered. "Please, I beg of you, please open your eyes. Why do you refuse to fight this curse? Why do you refuse to remember me?"

His questions went unanswered verbally, however the elder coughed sharply as the youth pierced his abdomen with his blade, revving the weapon's exceed system in the process. Tears cascaded down Dante's face as blood surged forth from the newly acquired wound.

"N-Nero," the experienced hunter murmured as blood cascaded over his quivering lips and dripped down his scruffy chin.

"You have no place in my mind demon," Nero coldly replied. "Nor do I choose to know or remember who you are. You are nothing to me."

"F-forgive me," Dante whispered as he collapsed against his comrade's rigid body. "I have failed you…Nero."

The brash youth scoffed before swiftly retrieving his sword's blade from its living sheath. The sudden switch in motion caused for Dante's body to recoil backward. With his miniscule strength depleting rapidly, the elder man gazed heartbroken at his former comrade before slowly closing his eyes and collapsing onto the battle scarred ground. Nero sighed heavily as he gazed down upon the fallen legendary hunter.

"Well done," the hidden deity congratulated. "At last, the remaining remnants of that cur Sparda have been eradicated. Now I can finally rule both of these worlds as I see fit!"

The young silver-haired man sighed softly as his gaze remained focused on Dante's body. Ever since the start of their rather short battle, the elder had not once reacted negatively toward him, almost as if he would rather choose death over harming the youth. Nero tilted his head to the right before gazing up at his master, the congregation of spheres disappearing into the stale atmosphere. Wordlessly, the young slayer turned and headed for the nearby coastline. However as he turned away from the final resting place of the legendary son of Sparda, a stray tear cascaded down his left cheek.

Dante gasped as he bolted upright from his previous position on the floor. His slightly blurred gaze stared aimlessly at the dimly lit wall opposing him as he continued to inhale and exhale in quick increments compliments of his diffusing nightmare. Remnants of a cold sweat lazily curled down his taut cheeks before the hunter proceeded to assert the futility of the dream's prediction. Sighing heavily to calm his breathing, Dante closed his eyes before falling back against a haphazard collection of torn and bloody sheets and quilts he managed to locate while scavenging for items in the ransacked room.

"It was just a dream," he whispered to himself as he intertwined the fingers of his right hand through his sweat dampened silver lochs.

The sun disk was now vibrantly shedding its light and energy high above the ground, it's maximum peak only a few hours away. Ever since the young slayer had drifted off into a required slumber, Dante busied himself with the task of locating items within the room that would be of service to the youth. However, with the massive collection of dead and decaying demon bodies littering the general living space of the ramshackle room, the elder believed that the dreaded house keeping chores were the first priority on his list. Not only was the smell nauseating and suffocatingly toxic, the literal banquet would otherwise have been too promising an ideal for other starving demons that could be on the prowl still.

Therefore, the experienced slayer set to work on evacuating the deceased demons from the premises. If any lingering demons were still gallivanting, then he would gladly give them a feast so long as they were to leave the youth and himself to their own devices. The task was long and laborious, but by the time the sun had finally cleared the horizon line, all that remained of the massacre were the memories and the scars. Exhausted from lack of sleep and the battle with the army of demons plus a hasty retreat from a squadron of police officers, Dante had all but collapsed next to the still peacefully slumbering Nero, eager to earn a few hours' worth of sleep himself. However, he could not have predicted the horrors his subconscious would hurl at him in his most vulnerable of situations. The elder slayer shuddered softly as he proceeded to vivaciously rub his forearms, his leather gloves squeaking slightly from the contact.

Inhaling deeply, Dante resisted the urge to release his held breath until a few moments had expired. Reopening his eyes, the sapphire blue-eyed hunter turned his head to his left, the prone form of his comrade intercepting his gaze. The small fire he noticed blazing vibrantly prior to his entry had long since burned out, smoldering coals being the only surviving remnants. Even with the sun mere degrees from its highest cresting point in the sky, the room sustained an eerie darkness. Momentarily tearing his gaze away from Nero, the elder silver-haired man glanced back at the remains of the fire. He then contemplated whether or not to rekindle the ashes, and stoke the smoldering embers back into a roaring fire. The job was simple and easy to achieve, however the task remained daunting to the slayer for obvious reasons.

"What's wrong Dante?" the man's inner demon questioned as a translucent apparition of the beast materialized to the hunter's right.

"Nothing," Dante answered, a heavy sigh cascading past his lax lips.

"You sound troubled," the beast prodded, tilting its head to the right while swiveling its pointed ears forward. "Are you concerned for the boy's well being?"

"No, it's not that," the elder slayer replied as he gazed down upon Nero's serene features. "I have complete faith in your abilities as a healer."

"Then perhaps you worry yourself about his reaction when he will awaken?" the man's demonic persona continued, flattening its ears against its head as possible outcomes flashed through its mind.

"No, and if he does proceed to chew me out, I have ways of calming him without harming him," Dante commented as he pushed himself up into a seated position.

"Ahh, I see now," the crimson apparition mused, its massive wings stretching slightly. "Your mind is clouded with questions concerning your previous dream, is it not?"

The human inhabitant of the shared body redirected his gaze to fall upon the fractured and blood stained floor. His dream had been bothering him ever since its grisly completion thus prompting him to awake in a cold sweat. While death was not a particular fear of his, Nero's safety was. The switch in direction of his thoughts prompted the slayer to glance at the youth once more. His facial expression, or lack there of, provided such a contrasting lie to the history of his previous excursion. However, to Dante, the once elegant overcoat he allowed for his comrade to borrow perfectly described the boy's psyche. He was a train wreck waiting to happen, and for all the kid probably knew of the predicted future, he would unwillingly be blind sighted. The gravity of the inevitable future caused for a choked shudder to pass over Dante's lips. Furrowing his brow, the elder slayer grit his teeth before hastily pushing his body up onto his feet, angrily swiping at his eyes with his left forearm.

"Dante…" the sapphire-eyed man's inner persona began only to hesitate as its human counterpart leaned against a far wall, his head bowed as if in reverence.

"It's just not fair," Dante commented in a broken voice, tears blurring his vision. "Nero has done nothing but recommendable deeds all of his life and yet he is mercilessly and continuously punished for it. I-I can't stand it! I can't stand the fact that I can only watch helplessly from the sidelines as fate decimates his soul every waking minute of his existence on this god forsaken planet!"

"Dante!" the crimson beast roared, gaining the elder's attention moments later. "If fate was so unkind to the boy then how would you describe your relationship with him? Was your meeting him just a coincidence? A stroke of luck?"

The man with silver lochs paused as he reverted his gaze to fall upon the apparition of his inner demon. The beast flexed its massive wings as it patiently awaited his response. Dante sighed heavily as he turned back to gazing aimlessly out of a gaping hole in the wall he was currently leaning against. Truth be told, he harbored no response to his second persona's questions. He chose to believe in reality rather than chance and fate. Everything had to happen for a reason, no matter how miniscule or complex. To him fate was merely an excuse conjured by the humans to describe otherwise unexplainable phenomenon. His thoughts then redirected to fall upon the topic of his deceased family members. For years since he was forced to wander the streets of Capulet as an orphan, he cursed God and blamed fate for the tragedy that befell his mother. Turning his back on hopeless beliefs and frivolous worship to a higher power, Dante focused more on the here and now and shunned those who wasted their time praying for a better tomorrow.

The hunter groaned softly from the resulting headache that began to form in his subconscious as his thoughts raced frantically in his mind. Lifting his right hand, he gently pressed his tense palm against his face, pushing the appendage higher before raking his fingers through his silver lochs. He eventually allowed for his arm to cascade haphazardly back by his side before trudging over to the extinguished fire and plopping down in one of the momentarily forgotten makeshift chairs, the object groaning slightly under his weight. Dante's demonic persona cooed softly in pity before slowly advancing upon him. The slayer chose to ignore the beast for the time being as he worked to reorganize his thoughts into a comprehensible order. However, the sensation of a slick, yet rough, warm object sliding along his neck quickly sobered him from his staring contest with the ashes of the previous fire. Turning in his seat, he noted his demon half tilting its head to the left before continuing its previous activity of running its pink tongue along his neck.

"What are you doing?" he questioned, a slight chuckle intermingling with his words.

"Cleaning you," the crimson beast answered. "You positively reek of the stench of blood. And we don't necessarily want another demon army to ambush us do we?"

Dante smiled eloquently before allowing his demonic persona to continue. Although, the sensation of a demon running its tongue along his skin did prompt a few shivers to course through his limbs involuntarily. His smile then slowly began to fade as he glanced over toward his slumbering companion once again. The youth was predicted to sleep until the sun began to disappear behind the west horizon line, and if the elder's own demon half concerned itself about how he smelled, then how afflicted was the beast pertaining to Nero's current status of hygiene?

A short, yet decisive snort sobered the man with sapphire eyes from another daydream as his inner demon proceeded to clean his hair, various assaulted strands defying the laws of gravity. While his demonic persona busied itself with the task of playing mother, Dante proceeded to search the contents of his overcoat's pockets. In his left pocket, he located a few slips of lined paper containing various notes and scribbles as well as a few discarded gum wrappers and a lint ball. Tossing the rather useless objects and scraps to his left, the elder slayer then proceeded to kinetically explore his right pocket. Upon retrieving his right hand from the confides of his pocket, the elder slayer uncovered an old pair of ovular sunglasses, a pen that had exhausted its ink supply years prior, and two dollars.

"Sweet!" he cheered as he placed the monetary notes in his right pants' pocket.

"There, all done," the hunter's inner demon commented as a satisfied grin curled its scaly lips.

Dante sighed heavily as he cautiously raked his fingers through his now slimy hair, the matted silver strands sticking together from the highly viscous solution that was demon saliva. Wrinkling his nose from the sensation, the elder slayer unwillingly continued to smooth out his wily hair, all the while ridding the slick strands of excess saliva.

"Gee, thanks," Dante replied as he quickly whipped his wrist, flicking the excess demon saliva from his fingertips. "Now I smell heavily of demon spit."

"Well at least you don't smell like blood anymore," the beast retorted, it's bony tail flicking back and forth in a sporadic manner.

"So am I the only lucky son of a bitch to receive the mother treatment?" the experienced slayer questioned coyly as he glanced over his shoulder at his demonic half. "Or can Nero and I receive the two for one special?"

The crimson and obsidian shaded beast narrowed its eyes in a sarcastic manner before snorting defiantly at its human counterpart. On one hand, the translucent demon wished to rid the temporary shelter for the slayers of the scent of blood, however that didn't necessarily prompt it to approving of the idea of casually reciprocating its actions on the youth. Although, Dante's mischievous grin coupled with a persistent attitude eventually prompted for the demon to assist Nero in alleviating him of the intoxicating aroma of an easy kill. As the demonic persona of the elder slayer cautiously advanced upon Nero's prone form, it flared its nostrils as a cocktail of enticing scents assaulted its nose. Snorting loudly, the beast flattened its pointed ears against its head before continuing its advance upon the youth, its massive wings folding securely against its scaly back.

Dante meanwhile, proceeded to revive the extinguished fire by cleaning out the ashes from the previous inferno, which dominated the small ring of rocks before meticulously placing a few thick portions of chopped logs in various patterns. Every so often his sense of hearing would intercept a snort or a low growl from his demon counterpart. The hunter's ears would twitch slightly, thus momentarily attracting the half-breed's attention. Once the crimson apparition finally reached the younger man's slumbering body, it proceeded to curiously sniff him. A wide smile curled the elder silver-haired man's lips as he halted his progress of constructing a fire in order to witness Nero's first bath compliments of a demon. Upon completion of memorizing the youth's various scents, Dante's demon persona began to meticulously claw at the ground mere inches above the slayer's head. The disturbance of the festering tile underneath the boy's cranium caused for his platinum lochs to ripple slightly from the displaced air.

The crimson beast cooed softly upon completion of its abusive motives toward the weakened tiles, the soft soil underneath providing a rather pleasant sensation. With its sharpened claws safely embedded within the luxurious soil underneath the youth's head, the demon cautiously nudged forward until it managed to slip its scaly arms underneath Nero's torso without waking him. Momentarily forfeiting the concept of starting a fire, Dante stood from his makeshift chair and slowly advanced toward his demonic half. Nudging the younger slayer's torso with its snout, the translucent beast adjusted Nero's body into a more preferable position in its arms. The elder slayer watched on in awe and content as his inner demon proceeded to lavish the youth's ivory skin with its pink tongue. Propping his scruffy chin atop the clenched fingers of his right hand, the man with sapphire eyes began to ponder what his inner demon was thinking at the moment. Possible questions that unwillingly began to pool in his mind were: What does he taste like? How soft is his skin? ...Can I have a go?

He shuddered audibly following the last question his mind displayed for him. The soft disturbance in the otherwise silent room only prompted for his inner demon to swivel its pointed ears toward his position, its hooded gaze remaining focused on the youth. What was his mind trying to inform him? Surely he could not be harboring such ludicrous emotions toward his young companion could he? For all he knew, the kid was as straight as a cue stick, and that his heart belonged to a young woman christened Kyrie. The realization of the situation caused for Dante's previous smile to fade as he stood from his position and headed back toward the collection of logs.

"Even if Nero were to swing both ways," the slayer mumbled to himself as he stared aimlessly at the congregation of firewood. "What are the chances that he'd actually fall for me?"

Vergil sighed heavily as he paged through a romance novel he borrowed from the library. He was about half way through the story, and from what he read; the condemned son of Sparda was quickly growing uninterested. Although, the classic damsel in distress chapters always managed to capture and restrain his interest long enough for a few hundred pages to fly by. Groaning from fatigue and general boredom, the half-breed gently closed the book before standing from the chair he was seated upon. On the table before him resided the vacant dishes that once contained the man's breakfast. Vergil's pale eyelids slipped closed over his crystalline-blue eyes momentarily as he elongated his arms over his head, weaving his fingers together and rotating his palms up afterward. While the momentary constriction and strain voluntarily placed upon his muscles provided a temporary relief of the effects of his long study session, Vergil predicted that he would experience tension in his limbs throughout the day.

Relinquishing the strain on his arms, the son of Sparda allowed for the toned, pale limbs to cascade haphazardly down by his sides before the solitary novel resting upon the tabletop momentarily absorbed his attention. Pursing his lips he extended his hand out over the item before wrapping the slim digits around the book's binding. Lifting the object off of the table, he sighed heavily before eloquently trudging up to his private quarters. A displeased scowl distorted his otherwise pristine mask as Vergil stepped into his elegant bedroom. Uncharacteristically tossing the novel onto his organized desk, the half-breed slipped out of his trademark azure overcoat. His previous scowl slowly began to dissipate from his chiseled features as he carefully hung his treasured article of clothing in his closet, closing the mahogany doors afterward.

Glancing around his room, a slight glint soon attracted his attention. Vergil furrowed his brow as he paced closer to his dresser. Placed haphazardly on its surface was a familiar treasure long since lost to him in the human world. His breath hitched in his throat as the memories contained within the shimmering surface of the immaculate blood red gem steadily flooded his subconscious. Without uttering a word, Vergil quickly thrust his hand out toward the object, enclosing the item of jewelry in his pale fingers. Within an instant, a ravaging incinerating sensation flared along the pads of his fingers as well as consuming his palm. Gritting his teeth from the discomfort, the condemned son of Sparda retained his iron like grip around the object, determined to reclaim what was rightfully his. Eventually, the searing pain dissipated almost as rapidly as it had arrived.

Vergil paused for a moment as he mentally analyzed the probability of actually reclaiming a family treasure he had long since forfeited to his younger brother during Mundus's revival in the human world. He shuddered physically at the thought of his long and torturous servitude under the demented deity. For once he was actually thankful that his younger brother had bested him, allowing for his tormented soul to finally seek long denied rest in a world of solitude. As a heavy sigh passed over his lips, Vergil slowly closed his eyes as his grip around the amulet increased steadily. For many long years since his second departure from the demon world, he dreaded the emergence of the memories that would forever haunt him in his sleep. Every breath was a punishment to the dark angel. Every act that Mundus had deemed inexcusable, the corrupted half-breed was brutally reprimanded. Whether the punishment was swift and merciless or slow and torturous, every calculated blow was an ungodly sentence that he alone would suffer through.

Eventually the half-breed with spiked silver lochs reopened his eyes, a chorus of his own screams coupled with Mundus's shouts of anger flooding his sense of hearing. The memory slowly began to dissipate however as the reclaimed moment in time only served to further enrage Vergil. Gritting his teeth, the condemned man constricted his fingers around the amulet in a vice like grip before hurling the object at a mirror stationed on the wall to his left. The swift transfer of momentum coupled with the force of Vergil's throw ultimately resulted in the Sparda family's heirloom inflicting a shattering blow to the pristine object. A massive deviation now adorned the center of the mirror, various cracks splintering off in opposing directions. The resulting spider web of creases eventually resulted in the mirror fragmenting and cascading onto the floor in shards. Among the glistening remains of the mirror resided the offending jewelry item.

"Why have you returned?" Vergil sternly questioned the object, receiving no answer whatsoever in return. "You should be plaguing my accursed brother with your indifference!"

Upon the return of the room's uncomforting silence, the irate man with crystalline blue eyes stalked over to his bed, flopping haphazardly down upon the object afterward. Sighing heavily into the crimson sheets, he lifted his head to stare aimlessly at the wall opposite of his position after a few minutes had passed. While the object of his rage had done nothing wrong, and thusly did not reserve the right to receive the abuse resulting from its owner's anger, Vergil continued to associate his dark past with it. Crossing his forearms before his body, the son of Sparda lazily propped his chin atop the tense appendages. Even in death, his past had discovered a way to haunt him in the afterlife. However, his mind was then assaulted by a plausible thought. What if the return of his amulet predicted the occurrence of his resurrection into the human world? Reverting his gaze to fall upon the glimmering item of jewelry, tidbits of his studies began to flood his subconscious. Perhaps there was a way for him to travel back into the human world without the use of an interconnecting wormhole after all. By using the amulet, he could finally exact his revenge.

His mischievous smirk however quickly faded upon the realization that Dante had succeeded in eradicating any and all enemies that he had deemed worthy of his irrefutable rage and thirst for revenge. And while he didn't particularly choose to accept the reality that Dante was his ally, he couldn't exactly expel his frustration on the man either. Whether he liked it or not, the younger twin was innocent of the crimes the elder had committed, and should thusly be excused from his torrent. Groaning low in his throat, Vergil pushed his body up onto his knees before directing his gaze heavenward. He refused the idea of specters obtaining the ability to communicate with the living upon passing into the afterlife, however in this most dire of times, he observed no other alternatives.

"Father," he called, his gaze never faltering from the ceiling. "I am in dire need of your assistance. Please, show me what I must do to return to the human world. I am certain that my amulet did not just appear out of coincidence. You must have something planned for me, therefore I humbly ask for your guidance."

Upon his request, he fell silent as he awaited any kind of response from his father. However, after a few minutes had passed with no reaction whatsoever, Vergil sighed heavily in defeat before collapsing back onto his bed, the mattress recoiling slightly following his descent. He then groaned softly before burying his face in his forearms. He should have guessed that speaking to the deceased was a waste of time, since anyone who would attempt was always left disappointed. Turning his head slightly, Vergil gazed at his fractured mirror one last time before drifting off into a light slumber.

Salidar frowned in displeasure as he continued to stare out at the obscure horizon line. A full twenty-four hours had expired since the young ambassador had contacted her lover and explained to him the details of the demon leader's challenge. He sighed heavily as he tore his gaze away from his target of interest before redirecting it to fall upon the slumbering form of Kyrie. Even though he despised humans, the young maiden retained a certain charm that was rare in the species. Granted he would never fall for one, unlike his highly despised brother. The mere thought of Salidar's long fallen sibling caused for a low growl to vibrate his vocal chords.

"That fool dug his own grave," he retorted as he turned back to stare at the remains of the castle town of Fortuna. "Did he honestly believe that he could live a normal life in the human world? Granted he did manage to fool the pathetic creatures for a few good years. He even managed to bear twin sons, I'd applaud him if I didn't loathe him."

A soft coo resounded to his right before the obsidian body of Mortar appeared, affectionately prodding his naked hand with its snout. Salidar's gaze softened slightly as he lightly petted the demon, earning a purr in response.

"Hello Mortar," he greeted before ceasing his affectionate gestures toward the creature. "Our prey is late. Do search for him would you?"

"As you wish," the beast replied before leaping off of the current building they were occupying.

"If the boy is lost, then Mortar will gladly retrieve him," the man with obsidian lochs commented, a wicked grin curling his lips.

Following Mortar's departure to hunt down the youth, Sonar squawked in displeasure from its perch high on a radio spire. Gaining its master's attention, the demonic bird proceeded to beat its wing furiously, various loose feathers cascading elegantly before contacting the ground. A sly grin slowly spread onto Salidar's lips as he thrust out his left forearm, wordlessly summoning his winged pet. Tilting its head to the left, Sonar stretched its massive wings before eloquently lifting its body off of the spire. A light breeze filtered over the landscape as the man with amethyst eyes continued to observe his pet as it slowly descended from its perch. Finally reaching its intended destination, the obsidian bird began to beat its wings in quick increments, slowing its descent until it landed gracefully on the outstretched appendage of its master. Salidar's smile quickly faded as he gently stroked the bird's down feathers with his right index and middle fingers.

"What troubles you Sonar?" he questioned softly, he bird's eyes drifting closed from its master's gesture. "Are you jealous that I sent Mortar to retrieve our prey?"

Sonar clacked its beak together in response.

"I see," Salidar answered as he drew his weapon.

The long, glimmering blade of the katana he valued as his main weapon caused for Sonar to tilt its head before rapidly beating its wings in anticipation. The man with obsidian lochs lifted his treasured sword up to his eye level before thrusting the object down into the concrete below. The katana's blade pierced the otherwise impenetrable man-made material cleanly, imbedding about a good five inches before halting. Thrusting his arm up into the air, Salidar shooed Sonar away momentarily as he folded his hands together, closing his eyes afterward. The demonic bird hovered curiously overhead as its master proceeded to chant in an ancient dialect, reciting an incantation. A few verses into the spell, Salidar's imbedded blade began to glow a vibrant shade of violet, obsidian electricity crackling along its exposed shaft. A strong gale proceeded to assault the landscape, while a vivacious tremor ransacked the Order's headquarters.

Sonar proceeded to squawk noisily overhead as a thin beam of crimson shot forth from the katana's hilt, rocketing toward the heavens afterward. The rather noisy commotion erupting from the scene before her, Kyrie jolted awake only to gasp in horror as a swirling vortex emerged in the parted clouds. Upon completion of the incantation, Salidar summoned his winged pet back to his left arm. The commotion had also attracted the attention of Fuse, Blade and Razor, the three demons quickly joining their master in observing the newly formed portal in the heavens. Fuse growled low in its throat before unleashing a volley of harsh barks and yips at the portal, obvious excitement flaring in its electrified being.

"Sonar!" Salidar addressed, his voice barely audible over the roar of the portal. "I want you to return to the demon world. Recruit as many demons into a small army as you can. Take Fuse with you, and once you two are satisfied, summon me and I will reactivate the portal!"

The obsidian beast nodded in understanding as it stretched its wings before lifting off of its master's arm. The man with amethyst eyes then turned his attention toward Fuse, the beast's tail wagging with anticipation. A small smile curled Salidar's lips as he lifted his pet into his arms, ruffling its spiked fur in the process.

"Alright you two, be off now," he commented as he lifted Fuse up toward Sonar, the bird clamping its talons down on the scruff of the beast's neck.

The canine yipped before tenderly licking its master's fingers as its winged comrade ascended toward the gaping mouth of the portal. Razor and Edge joined their master as they along with Salidar watched the two disappear into the swirling vortex. In the moments that followed, the portal began to distort before slowly dissipating into the atmosphere. The man with obsidian lochs sighed heavily as he turned to notice the female staring at him with an expression of terror on her features. Razor and Edge both proceeded to hiss at her until their master placed each of his hands upon their slick heads.

"Easy," he cooed as he lightly patted their heads, earning a satisfied coo in response. "There's no need to be upset."

"Wha-what are you?" Kyrie questioned as she slowly began to retreat toward the door leading down into the building.

"Nothing you should concern yourself with my dear," Salidar answered as he snapped his fingers, thus causing Razor and Edge to charge toward her.

The young ambassador screamed as she quickly scrambled onto her feet and sprinted for the door. However, the serpentine beasts were exponentially more agile than her, thus allowing for the demons to corner her five steps away from her original starting point. Razor was the first to intercept her path, the beast roaring in blood lust. Kyrie gasped before bolting to her right only to meet Edge seconds later. Eventually, the twin beasts managed to corner her, snapping their menacing jaws at her every few instances the female would tear her gaze away from either of them.

"I hope you weren't harboring any delusions of escape my dear," the humanoid demon's voice commented as its owner drew closer.

"What kind of monster are you?" she demanded, tears trailing down her pale features.

"Do you really wish to know that badly?" he questioned stoically as he flexed his clawed left hand. "Fine, I shall grant you your wish of knowledge then."

Kyrie's pupils contracted to mere dots as she widened her eyes upon witnessing the man's transformation process. An inhuman growl erupted forth from Salidar's taut throat as his skin proceeded to morph into slick scales, a vibrant shade of fuchsia sparkling as an undertone. His hands and feet steadily elongated, the digits forming long, sharpened claws of obsidian. The vibrant crescendo of clothes splitting and fraying at the seems momentarily drowned within the man's growls as two massive wings burst forth from his shoulder blades, obsidian feathers glistening in the midday sun overhead. Upon nearing his transformation's completion, two massive horns jutted forth from his scalp, the bony extensions curling around his head. As his transformation neared its completion, a long whip-like tail emerged from the lower portion of his spine. Finally complete, Salidar gazed down upon the terrified female, his crimson hues following her every move. A satisfied smirk curled the demon's lips upon witnessing Kyrie faint, Razor and Edge curiously sniffing her body once it contacted the concrete beneath her.

"Foolish human," the newly transformed man commented as he turned to face the ruined town once more. "Razor, Edge!"

Upon hearing their names, the twin serpents quickly scampered off toward their master, rubbing their sleek bodies against his in the process.

"I want you to keep a vigilant eye out for the return of either Mortar, Sonar or Fuse," he instructed as he flexed his wings. "Alert me should any of them return. Also make sure you keep an eye on the female. I don't want her escaping!"

The bladed demons eagerly bobbed their heads in understanding as their master leapt off of the building, stretching his wings afterward. A strong gale eventually ensnared the demon in its grasp, granting him a strong updraft. Scanning over the city's ruins, Salidar located a particularly low deviation in the buildings. Therefore, he folded his wings together by his sides, nose diving into a desired crevice. Razor and Edge watched their master dive into the ruins of the city below before reverting their attention to the currently unconscious female.

"What should we do about the female?" Razor questioned its twin as it slinked closer to Kyrie.

"Well, our master doesn't want anything to happen to her," Edge replied, snorting before shaking its head in a rapid succession. "Yet anyway. Plus we have to keep a lookout for our brothers."

"But she looks so delicious Edge," the obsidian twin commented, its pink, forked tongue lolling out of its hazardous jaws.

"Nevertheless, we must remain vigilant," the ivory beast responded, its golden tinted eyes scanning the landscape. "You wouldn't want to upset master Salidar would you?"

Razor growled low in its throat as it reverted its gaze to fall upon the female before snorting. It then turned its attention back to where its twin resided, joining after a few moments of contemplation. With its desired meal temporarily off limits, Edge partook in the activity of keeping watch over the ruined city, its heightened senses trained to detect any disturbance or activity out of the usual changes in wind direction or the occasional winged beast fluttering about.

"Ugh, come on," Dante growled as he frivolously continued to strike a rock along the crafted edge of Rebellion's barbed blade, a few sparks gracing his attempts every so often. "Fuck!"

The elder slayer cursed in frustration as he haphazardly tossed the abused rock and his cherished sword onto the ground. He had attempted to build a fire for close to three hours, and his patience was all but exhausted. During his various attempts, he cursed himself for not equipping Infrit in his arsenal before accepting the task of accompanying Nero in his return to Fortuna. The sun was now slowly beginning its descent toward the western horizon line, thus prompting for cooler temperatures and longer shadows. The thought of spending another night in the ruins of a long since forgotten roadside town caused for coarse, involuntary shivers to course down the hunter's spine. He was determined to vacate the area as soon as Nero awoke. As the younger man's name crossed his subconscious, Dante abandoned the accomplishment of a roaring fire to study up on the youth's condition.

Just a few hours prior, his inner demon had graciously agreed to clean Nero, thus alleviating the tempting scent of blood from the immediate area. However, what really seemed to puzzle the man with sapphire eyes was that even though the steadily decaying bodies of the demon army he single-handedly eradicated still occupied the vast expanse of the town's plaza, nary a demon had inspected the banquet. Momentarily distracting his mind, Dante began to ponder the notion of whether Nero would be hungry when he awoke. He would no doubt be parched, however, the elder hunter dreaded the idea of wandering the town in search of nourishment for the two of them while the younger slayer waited completely vulnerable and susceptible to attack during his absence. Either way, he was at a loss, with a plausible solution hidden just out of his comprehension.

Placing his hands on his hips, he began to gnaw at the soft inner lining of his right cheek, while mulling over possible solutions to the problem. One solution detailed him quickly scouring the town, searching high and low for any dictation of a convenience store. He quickly dismissed the idea, claiming it would demand too much precious time for Nero to remain vulnerable. A second option depicted that he wait until the youth would awake, then have him accompany the elder slayer on his quest for nourishment. However, eventually that plan came to the same conclusion. Sighing heavily in a momentary defeat, Dante turned and gazed down upon the solitary pile of wood still awaiting the eventual inferno to consume its placid surface. The hunter became so absorbed in his own thoughts and methods of problem solving, that he failed to notice the sky grow steadily darker.

A strong gale filtered over the landscape as an unpredicted storm proceeded to lazily drift overhead. Loose particles of dust, dirt and sand began to create mini twisters as the invisible wind manipulated its status of mobility. Decaying buildings groaned and creaked with every undulation of the meteorological event, the varied chorus of disturbances startling a few wandering demons from their temporary shelters. Eventually Dante awoke from his thought trance as he noted and absorbed the occurrences around him. Narrowing his eyes in comprehension, he quickly glanced out of one of the gaping holes in the wall closest to his position just as thunder crackled noisily in the rolling obsidian clouds overhead. His tense lips slowly descended into a slight frown as a refrain of demon howls and shrieks began to annunciate the various cadences of thunderclaps.

"Shit," Dante whispered as he glanced behind him, Rebellion's blade glistening in the waning light.

A thunderstorm was the absolute last thing the elder slayer wanted to occur. Not only were the surviving or wandering demons dashing from shelter to shelter to escape the storm, but the storm would also postpone the duo's attempt at evacuating the ruined town until it subsided. What really concerned the man with sapphire eyes was the inevitable rain that would eventually scour the landscape. If his assumptions were correct, the building, which the slayers occupied, was on a slight downgrade from the town's plaza. The torrential rain would undoubtedly dilute the pool of blood that had seeped from the bullet-riddled bodies of the demons he decimated earlier. The cracks and crevices engraved into the cobblestones would then channel through the various networks of miniscule canals, eventually leading directly to their shelter. The reinvigorated scent of blood, coupled with the intent of locating a temporary shelter would unwittingly leave the two at a higher percentage for an attack. Clenching his teeth, Dante retreated back into the shelter, retrieving Rebellion off of the ground afterward. Fixing his gaze on the solitary pile of wood, he plopped onto the ground, retrieving a stone upon crossing his legs.

The elder slayer sighed heavily as he angled Rebellion's barbed tip into the foundation of the log pile. He then inclined the blade into a 49-degree angle from the floor, tilting the blade down slightly to his left afterward. He paused for a few moments to line up his eyesight with the axis of the blade in comparison to the firewood. Squinting his eyes, he doubled-checked his mental measurements before finally retrieving his chosen rock. With the natural element clutched firmly in his gloved right hand, Dante inhaled deeply before slowly exhaling, his anticipation prompting the momentary hesitation. Pursing his lips together into a thin line, he began to slide the rock along the blade's sharpened edge, preparing his eye and hand for the ultimatum. He then narrowed his eyes on the fourth upward stroke, grunting as he struck the rock along his blade. A radiant shower of sparks erupted from the forced contact, sprinkling the logs afterward. To the hunter's initial displeasure, the sparks flickered before slowly extinguishing. Furrowing his brow, he sighed in defeat, the idea of a comforting fire beyond his current ability.

However, as he continued to stare downtrodden at the stack of firewood, he soon noticed a faint trail of smoke curling elegantly from the base of his blade's barbed edge. Pulling Rebellion from the base of the logs, Dante observed the deviation intently, visually searching for the origin of the smoke. He quickly pushed his weight forward, shifting onto his hands and knees as he continued to stare at the firewood, the billowing smoke steadily growing stronger. A small smile splayed across his lips as he finally discovered the smoldering kindling beneath one of the larger logs. Adjusting the positions of the wood, he gently proceeded to blow on the glimmering flame, enticing the embers to grow. By now, a steady downpour had begun to fall, the large raindrops splattering noisily on the decaying buildings as well as the fractured cobblestone paths. Eventually, the man with sapphire eyes managed to stoke the glistening embers into a roaring fire, the bright golden and crimson inferno greedily consuming the logs placed in the small ring of rocks. Dante sighed in content as the dancing flames illuminated his body, providing warmth as well as protection from the wandering demons.

His gaze then reverted over to his slumbering comrade, the youth currently curled into a light ball. Furrowing his brow in concern, the elder slayer quickly glanced around at the materials still assessable to him. However, the objects he contemplated on using as a makeshift blanket for the younger hunter were either drenched from the seeping rainwater, were practically saturated with blood, or torn to shreds. Sighing heavily at a loss, Dante placed his hands on his hips, his gaze shifting back and forth from Nero to the flickering fire. Even though the young man should be conscious in a few hours, he didn't want to chance the risk of moving him for fear of reopening a few tender contusions. Setting his lips in a slight frown, he glanced down at his feet, his current footwear smeared with ashes, dirt and dried blood. His sapphire gaze then intercepted a fluttering lapel of his overcoat as a rather strong breeze filtered in through a gaping crevice in the wall adjacent to his position.

A soft smile curled the hunter's lips as he shrugged out of his crimson and obsidian overcoat. Even though the current temperature of the room's atmosphere was slightly cooler than the elder man would have enjoyed, he still possessed the option of retaining a comfortable temperature around the rippling fire. Nero on the other hand, possessed little in the form of protective and wearable clothing, and was far from the warmth radius exuded by the fire. Folding his only remaining overcoat over his left arm, he habitually smoothed out the extra wrinkles in his shirt before softly treading closer to his chilled comrade. Dante's slight smile faded as he gazed down upon the remains of his first overcoat. Out of every overcoat he's collected, the one he wore when facing off against his twin in, around and above the devilish tower, the Temen-Ni-Gru, seemed to suffer the most costly damages. His sapphire gaze continued to drift lazily along the battlefield of tears, burns and stains, mentally calculating the total expense for repairing such a catastrophe.

The elder slayer sighed passively as he lifted his overcoat off of his left forearm. Splaying his hands across the shoulder line of the slightly undersized object, he cracked the object in the air a few times to alleviate any newly formed wrinkles. He then slowly descended onto his right knee, the tail end of his overcoat dragging along the ground. A soft smile curled Dante's lips once again as he carefully covered Nero's shivering form, the collar of the crimson article of clothing resting idly beneath the boy's chin. Straightening his back, the experienced hunter leaned his left forearm on top of his bent left leg, his hooded gaze focusing on the youth's serenely slumbering features. Following the expiration of five minutes, Dante began to ponder how the boy could manage to locate and involve himself in so many various situations where his life hung in the balance. The first instance of a life threatening involvement would be when he was poisoned, thus creating the ghastly transformation of his right arm. A second instance was when they first became acquainted and Nero acquired his devil trigger.

A loud crack sounded from the blazing inferno as a half-consumed log of wood released a trapped bubble of hydrogen. Tearing his gaze away from the youth, the elder man stared intently at the dancing flames before pushing himself onto his feet, a groan of announced pain vibrating his vocal chords. Wandering over to the fire, his stomach soon reminded him that it was empty and desired a refuel. Dante ground his teeth together before glancing down upon the glimmering blade of his cherished heirloom. A resilient flash of lightning streaked across the sky overhead before a low peal of thunder rattled the building's foundation. In the immediate vicinity, the only edible food to the hunter's knowledge was the mound of semi-fresh demon meat still piled out by the town's disabled fountain. Despite its bitter taste, demon flesh was actually quite nutritious and hearty. A fully matured male could sustain himself on a few pounds of demon meat for close to three weeks tops. However, not all demon flesh is edible by human beings. Many of the canine and bird species were poisonous, their blood being a cocktail of caustic substances. Retrieving Rebellion off of the ground, he carefully slid his right thumb over the sharpened edges of the barbed blade. The rock caused nary a scratch, which greatly relieved the elder hunter. The last thing he would want to occur was his blade suffering damage while producing a staple in survival.

Gripping his beloved sword in his right hand, Dante paced closer to the main passageway of the dilapidated building. The rain obscured his vision of the surrounding collection of edifices thus prompting for an uneasy sigh to pass over his lips. Demons were undoubtedly scampering about in the rain, and the fact that a roaring fire was present in one of the buildings, the elder feared it would be too inviting. However, with the current turn of events, he would have to barter a risk. The fountain was only a few meters in distance from the makeshift shelter, and he was only focused on gathering two intact carcasses from the pile. Inhaling deeply, he turned his attention back to Nero, the boy still enraptured by his dream world. Dante exhaled sharply before slowly nodding and turning to fully face the gaping chasm. If he timed his departure well, he should be able to retrieve what he needed and return before a minute would expire. Flicking his wrist, the experienced slayer quickly switched the position of Rebellion's pleated handle so the blade was angled behind its master's body.

"Don't worry Nero," he whispered as his eyes searched the mist-dominated landscape. "I'll only be gone for a few seconds."

Upon the discovery of the massive pile of demon bodies, Dante crouched into a low squat, his right foot slightly trailing. With his sword clenched tightly in his hand, he inhaled deeply before exhaling slowly, his heart rate thundering in his ears. It was now or never, and with the stakes as high as the stars themselves, the experienced slayer could not afford failure. Eventually, a spider web of lightning streaked across the sky. Tensing his muscles for the proverbial gun, Dante recited a cadence of escalating numerals before a peal of thunder vibrated the landscape. With the agility of a world-class sprinter, the man with sapphire eyes bolted for the carcass pile, a pack of nearby demons screeching loudly before giving chase. The rain collided mercilessly with the hunter's exposed skin, the miniscule droplets of rain comparing more so to prods from a blunt needle. Gritting his teeth, Dante pushed forward, his muscles flexing and rippling with each impact with the uneven path. With the massive pile mere feet before him, a confident smirk splayed across his lips. However, just as he breeched the plaza's threshold, a two-feline demons landed before him, intercepting his journey forward. Quickly shifting his weight back, the elder slayer thrust his blade into the fractured street beneath his feet, managing to postpone his progress just as two more feral demons leapt in to block his exit. Panting from his sprint, Dante glared menacingly into the opposing demons' eyes.

"Look, all I want is a small fraction of that pile there," the man with ivory lochs commented as the pack of feline beasts began to slowly circle him. "Nothing more…you can have the rest."

"No," one of the larger beasts answered. "This is our food. Leave now, or you shall become a part of it."

"Hey pal, I ain't got time for this," Dante remarked, as he angled Rebellion's blade up along his back, the barbed edge ascending just over his left shoulder. "Now either you give me two of those demons in that pile, or I'll make you into the next season's hottest fashion."

Baring their sharpened teeth, the beasts attacked. A confident smirk soon curled the hunter's lips as he leapt into the air while twisting his body, utilizing Rebellion's long blade as a propeller to gain a higher altitude. As a result of his hasty retreat, the four feline demons collided, their writhing bodies collapsing back onto the earth in a jumbled pile of limbs. Landing gracefully a few feet away, Dante proceeded to laugh at how unrefined the beasts' coordination was. Snarling with a roiling fury, the first beast to succeed onto its four paws surged after its intended prey. With his cocky smirk still proudly plastered onto his features, the man with sapphire eyes quickly plunged the barbed edge of his sword into a prominent fracture in the street's cobblestone surface. Utilizing the momentum generated from the move, Dante quickly thrust his right leg out, connecting a sharp blow to the beast's snout. The feral demon whined in pain as its body rocketed into the crumbling side of a nearby building.

Thunder crackled overhead as the assaulted building teetered to its right before collapsing, ultimately burying the demon under three stories worth of concrete, brick, copper and insulin. The resulting plume of dust and dirt splayed over the battlefield, causing for the combatants to lose track of one another. Slowly, Dante's confident smirk dissipated as he clutched Rebellion's handle tightly with both hands. The pounding rain and crackling thunder served merely as a distraction, drowning out the footfalls of the feline demons almost entirely. Observing that his eyesight has otherwise proven useless in the continuation of the battle, the experienced slayer slowly exhaled as he closed his eyes, allowing for his sense of hearing to seize command. The beasts growled low in their throats as they stealthily stalked ever closer to their temporarily blinded prey. With hazardous fangs dripping hungrily with saliva, the first demon pounced, its clawed forepaws extended and anxious to slice into its adversary's flesh.

"Heh," Dante sighed as he quickly retreated a step, the feral demon's claws narrowly missing his clothed chest. "Game…"

The infamous slayer's trademark smirk curled his lips once more as he audibly followed the beast's movements, twirling his sword in his right hand for a full revolution before thrusting it forward. A ravenous screech echoes across the landscape, piercing through the thick thrones of dirt, dust and sand. The two remaining demons pause as the death cry of their former comrade further serves to enrage the beasts. Relying heavily on their sensitive eyesight, the two feline demons surge toward the blind swordsman. Baring sharpened claws and fangs; the two feral beasts leap toward Dante, their intentions deadly. Audibly absorbing the information his eyes failed to provide for the man with ivory hair, he accurately pinpointed the demons' locations. Exhaling quickly, he crouched into a low squat before launching his body backward. The feline demons snorted in confusion as Dante arched his back, landing on his hands afterward. Grunting slightly from the hasty transfer of his weight, he redirected the direction of his feet, completing the semi-circle before pushing off of the ground. A soft chuckle vibrated his vocal chords as he landed onto his feet.

"Set…" he commented before extending his right arm, Rebellion's blade acting as a deadly addition to the appendage.

Briefly retreating a step with his left foot, the experienced slayer quickly swung the blade forward, generating the necessary momentum. Focusing his weight onto the balls of his right foot, Dante eloquently twisted his body in a complete 360-degree revolution before savagely executing an upward slice. The hunter's deadly sword dance succeeded in cleanly decapitating one of the feline demons, it's twitching body collapsing onto the ground in the moments that followed. Perching his weight onto his left foot, Dante trained his keen eyes on the remaining demon as the suffocating fog slowly began to dissipate. Frightened for its own life following the demises of its comrades, the remaining feline demon turned tail and fled. However, the slayer with sapphire eyes quickly sprinted after it. As he surged after the fleeing demon, Dante carefully counted his steps, timing his final spectacle to a pinpoint.

Lightning flashed overhead as the hunter launched his body skyward following a boost from the debris of the freshly leveled building the first beast flew into. Soaring high into the air, Dante angled his decent over the projected path the feral beast was predicted to follow. Raising Rebellion high over his head, the elder slayer grit his teeth before hurling the crafted blade down toward the fractured cobblestone. Luck seemed to favor the man with ivory lochs as his projectile hit its mark, the barbed blade striking the fleeing beast on top of its cranium. The method of slaying was quick and decisive, as the demon did not receive the chance to even whimper as Rebellion sliced cleanly through its head, permanently eradicating any functionality whatsoever. With a satisfied smirk curling the corners of his lips, Dante gracefully landed to the deceased feline's left, propping his left hand on top of his sword's spiked handle.

"Match," he finished as the twitching body of the last of the feline beasts collapsed onto the ground.

Dante sighed heavily as he wrapped the slightly quivering fingers of his left hand around his sword's pleated handle, twisting the weapon a quarter turn clockwise before wrenching its barbed blade free of the cobblestone pathway and the demon's head. A light breeze then filtered over the soggy landscape, prompting for an involuntary shiver to course through the slayer's body. Glancing skyward, he observed the slowly passing clouds of slate and ivory hues. The once violent droplets of water splashed upon the ground and the slayer's inclined features. Even though the heavenly tears were frigid and numerous, they produced a calming sensation as the cadence of splattering droplets orchestrated an ancient lullaby. Dante closed his eyes as he reveled in the tranquility of the moment. Such pauses in daily life similar to the present were a rarity for the man with sapphire eyes. Not even his customary ten hours of daily sleep could not compare to how placid and relaxed the rain allowed to him feel. There was really only one other occurrence in his life that he discovered true tranquility, and that was when he was embracing Nero.

As the notion of the younger slayer flitted across his memory bank, Dante gasped as he realized he had practically abandoned the youth for his moment to embellish the gentility of the rain. Tightening his grip around Rebellion's pleated handle, he quickly plucked the recently slaughtered feline demon off of the cobblestone ground. Tossing the beast haphazardly over his left shoulder, he jogged over to the remains of the second feral beast he disposed of. He quickly wrapped his gloved right hand around the stiff beast's left hind leg before turning and sprinting back toward his and Nero's shared refuge. To his relief, Nero was still soundly slumbering under the miniscule protection of his crimson overcoat, which also provided him with warmth from the rather frigid temperature that permeated throughout the room. A warm smile spread onto the elder slayer's lips before he thrust Rebellion into the dirt before the crackling fire. Relaxing his shoulders, he allowed for the bleeding carcasses to tumble off, the cadavers colliding sharply with the remains of the concrete floor.

Even though the small thud that resulted from the collision of the feline beasts with the floor was insignificant, the exchange resulted in a soft groan emanating from the direction of Nero's current position. As Dante wrapped the fingers of his right hand around his sword's handle, his sapphire irises focused on butchering the remnants of nourishment placed before him, his ears twitched slightly as soft rustling sounds resonated in a far corner of the room. Lifting his gaze to fall upon the origin of the commotion, the experienced slayer eventually noted Nero's conscious movements. A wide smile curled the corners of his lips as he momentarily abandoned the task of preparing dinner in favor of investigating the youth's condition. Another soft moan vibrated Nero's vocal chords as he furrowed his brow, slowly opening his eyes afterward. The first glimpse from the grave yielded nothing but a blurry environment. Reclosing his eyes, he slowly lifted his left hand, grunting at the notion of how daunting the simple task actually was. However, he managed to lift the extremity eventually, lightly rubbing his eyelids afterward. As the younger slayer focused on refocusing his vision, his ears twitched slightly as his sense of hearing intercepted the crescendo of thick leather boots impacting the ground in even cadences. Allowing for his left hand to cascade down onto the tender flesh of his abdomen, Nero reopened his eyes only to intercept the sapphire gaze of his comrade moments later.

"Hey, how are you feeling?" the elder hunter questioned softly as he kneeled before his weakened comrade.

"Dante?" the man with crystalline blue eyes replied, furrowing his brow in confusion afterward. "What are you doing here? Wh-where is here anyway?"

Dante paused momentarily as the young man's first questions repeated a few times over in his subconscious. While he was ecstatic that the kid was all right and still recalled who he was, the fact that he didn't recollect where he was troubled him slightly. He cleared his throat as he quickly shook his head, alleviating the dubious questions and contemplations for the moment. Propping his right forearm over his bowed right leg, the elder man sighed lightly before briefly licking his rather dry lips.

"Well, to tell you the truth kid," he began, as he glanced down at his patiently waiting comrade. "I really don't know. However, I do know that we're somewhere in between Capulet and Fortuna."

"Oh," Nero remarked as he averted his gaze to stare upon the crumbling ceiling.

"So, you never answered my question kid," Dante reprimanded as he curled his left hand into a loose fist, propping it upon his hip, displaying a gesture of displeasure.

"Well, if you really want to know," the younger slayer began, groaning in a strained voice as he slowly advanced into a seated position. "I feel like shit. There's not a millimeter of skin on me that doesn't hurt right now."

The experienced slayer sighed in pity as his gaze continued to observe his comrade study the remains of the clothes he was previously wearing. The youth furrowed his brow as he twisted his arms, observing the exact extent of the damage the demons managed to inflict upon their combined assault on his being. Dante's eyelids drooped over his eyes slightly as he retreated into his subconscious. Nero would undoubtedly recover before night fell, however with the congregation of demons amassing in the destined castle town, the elder slayer thought it best to at least spend one night to recover fully. Glancing back up at the young man, Dante began to closely study his face. He recorded every angling line of the boy's jaw as well as the softer curves of his lips, nose and eyes. Despite the youth's aggressive attitude, he possessed soft features. The experienced hunter then lifted his gaze to focus on Nero's silver lochs. Even though both slayers possessed the rare trait, Dante admired how unique the youth's hair appeared. His seemed more vibrant and feathery, and when the luminous sun managed to splay across his head, a silver halo would usually develop around the crown of his cranium. Dante smiled softly as his gaze drifted back to Nero's momentarily distracted irises. Even though crystalline blue was a very piercing color for eyes, the youth's always seemed to glow with vibrancy. Eventually, Nero lifted his gaze toward his elder comrade, a question plaguing his mind. However, his query stalled on his tongue as he intercepted Dante's gaze.

Time seemed to slow to a stand still as the slayers continued to gaze into each other's eyes, identical thoughts racing through their subconscious. The youth soon became the first of the two to move as he tilted his head slightly to his right. What remained of the storm outside was now a softly decaying rainstorm, the soft trickling of water droplets creating a soothing melody. As minutes slowly began to expire, Nero became restless, his muscles quivering every few seconds. As a result, his gaze then began to wander, his irises darting from the elder's steadfast eyes to the ground, then the ceiling before finishing a large revolution back to Dante's sapphire irises. Even though the temperature in the room remained constant, the young slayer's quivering became more violent, eventually causing his whole body to shake. As the apparent spell on the elder man fractured, he lowered his body onto his knees before leaning forward, halting his progress toward the other slayer with only a few feet separating them. Nero's enlarged irises reconnected with Dante's gaze following the elder's sudden shift in position. The experienced hunter's proximity to the younger man's position caused for him to lean back further, placing unnecessary strain on his elbow joints and his weakened muscles.

"Dante," Nero addressed firmly as a light tint of pink began to color his cheeks. "What are you doing?"

The addressed slayer spoke naught a word, but slowly followed his younger comrade. Turning his face down toward the floor, Nero attempted to pull himself further away from his comrade's advance. However as he increased the pressure on his elbows, they buckled, causing the youth's torso to fall back onto the floor. Dante paused momentarily as the younger slayer cursed from the fresh spike of pain, his eyes tightly clenched. Nero grit his teeth as he proceeded to push himself up into a seated position once more, the task however proving to be too difficult for his malnourished muscles. The sheer complexity of the commonly simple task caused for tears to trail down the youth's contorted features. The elder slayer furrowed his brow in pity before carefully snaking his left arm under his comrade's legs, his right arm gently looping around Nero's abused and spasming lat muscles. With a short, yet strained grunt, Dante lifted the man with crystalline-blue eyes into his arms before shifting his weight back. He then crossed his legs as he ensconced back onto the ground, gingerly transferring his injured comrade from the ground onto his lap. Nero furrowed his brow as he placed his left hand onto the experienced slayer's chest, applying what little strength he could muster as a counter measure to the other's actions. Dante's expression remained placid as he lowered Nero into the gap between his crossed legs and his body. As he withdrew his left arm from under the youth's legs, the compassionate slayer wrapped the appendage carefully around his comrade's torso. The young man with silver lochs flinched slightly from the exchange as his body was drawn closer to the elder's. Nero sighed in frustration as he was once again forced to become subject to Dante's bouts of unexplained compassion.

He could understand that the elder was only trying to assist him, however the method in which he expressed his aid eventually began to worry the youth. Nero always viewed Dante as the macho straight guy who was comparable to a snake charmer, that is if women were the unruly serpents that danced to his melody. Sure he was quite attractive, but the fact that the elder was so straightforward with him concerned Nero. However, at the moment, Dante's embrace was quite welcoming despite the awkward progression into the gesture. As his eyelids slowly slid down over his crystalline irises, Nero placed his softly glowing demonic hand against the experienced slayer's chest. He then laid his head against his comrade's right shoulder, his forehead unintentionally resting against Dante's neck. A soft smile curled the elder's lips as he in-turn rested his right cheek against the youth's forehead, his right hand ascending from Nero's back to gently thread through his hair. As the elder slayer continued to comb his fingers slowly through his hair, the younger hunter sighed before closing his eyes.

"Feel better?" Dante questioned softly.

Nero groaned as a response before opening his eyes half-way, his gaze focused on their intertwined silhouettes flickering with the undulating illumination provided by the flickering inferno stationed a few feet behind them. Meanwhile on top of the building the two slayers currently resided in, the sleek obsidian form of Mortar gazed down upon the two through a gaping crevice. It cooed softly before tilting its head to the left, its bony tail waging slowly from left to right. Snorting slightly, it quickly leapt onto an adjacent building before shaking its body in rapid successions, flinging the natural coat of water off of its glistening scales. Mortar growled slightly before proceeding to lavish its clawed fingers with its long pink tongue.

"Mortar report," the voice of the beast's master commanded.

"I have located the two slayers," Mortar reported as it plopped down upon the decaying floor of the room it momentarily retreated to in order to escape the rain. "The young one seems quite weak. I'm not even sure he would otherwise succeed in returning to Fortuna."

"Huh, such a shame," Salidar commented, his voice a sarcastic whisper. "Oh well, no matter, kill him."

"I'm not so sure that would be a decent strategy my master," the obsidian creature retorted. "The young one seems to be accompanied by another man. He has the same silver lochs as the youth and appears quite protective of him. I doubt I would even obtain the opportunity to touch the youth with that one around."

"Hmm, interesting," the beast's owner hummed. "Well, I want you to keep a close study on those two, but make sure they don't see you understand?"

"Completely my liege," Mortar answered before a massive lightning bolt flourished across the overcast sky. "I'll keep a close watch on them."