The Calm Before
Nero planted the Red Queen into the ground and fell back, enabling his leg to recover from the paralysis. Trinity slowly walked closer to Nero being cautious of how close she came. Nero quickly pulled out the Blue Rose to notify her of her perimeter as she stopped only seven feet away. However, this appeared close enough as Nero's devil bringer throbbed with an intense light.
"Ok miss 'many faces'," Nero started without letting his aim falter, "It's time to tell me who you really are."
"I'm afraid I can't tell you that, yet…" Trinity grinned, "But I can tell you why I lured you here."
Nero put down the Blue Rose no longer seeing Trinity as a threat. "Let me guess, big bad demons were banished to this island a long time ago and you, being one of them, lured me here to exact your revenge believing me to be the long lost son of Sparda. Well guess what lady, demon arm or not I'm no son of Sparda."
"You almost believe that don't you?" Trinity asked, not wanting a response. "But it's not time for you to know the truth, first you have to earn it."
"What is this, a game?" Nero yelled kind of pissed. "I didn't come here to fight your battles I came to protect Kyrie."
"Well if you wish to ensure her safety I suggest you follow my 'specific' instructions." Trinity taunted. "There are seven devils," Trinity stopped looking at the area Zahra had died in, "I mean six devil lords inhabiting Hsaudo Rin each ranked by their power."
"So that's seven demons I have to kill before I leave, and only two and half days left." Nero stated pointing out Trinity as the luxurious new seventh.
"Humor won't get you anywhere here. You barely defeated Zahra and she's ranked six amongst the devils." Trinity turned away as if she was disappointed. "You're nothing in comparison to them if you don't embrace your power."
"You have no idea what I can do…" Nero thought looking at his demonic arm. Trinity turned around and started to walk away.
"Six devils remain for you take arms against." Trinity commenced, "ranked seventh is the estranged Beelzebub, whose body can break down into hordes of insects. Fifth is the devil queen Tatyana. Her power has probably grown far pass that rank as she is the reason this island is void of life."
"What exactly or you trying to say, 'she ate all the humans that were here?'" Nero asked.
"This island was never home to humans as to why Sparda choose here to seal the demons," Trinity said as if she knew Sparda personally, "But originally each of the devil lords had demonic armies that followed them, until…"
"Damn, sucks for them," Nero thought then remembered how that would make his job harder.
Trinity continued, "The last four have never shown any reason to reveal their power making no distinction that they are the strongest of the lords. Their powers are so great they have to suppress it by changing their physical forms, mainly appearing as humans but some something even worst." Trinity stated referring to Aeolus.
Nero looked at Trinity wondering if she was one of these demons hiding her true power. Not knowing that Aeolus forced her to take this, her true, form just to speak to him, Nero questioned her honesty.
"Marion ranked fourth, lives in the mountains supposedly training. While Divas, third in rank, resides within the mountain in an area called the inner sanctum. They, though having different goals in doing so, are considered the personal guard of the last devil Aeolus."
"How could that be the last devil if there are six remaining?" Nero questioned Trinity's integrity, "Unless, you're finally revealing your place amongst them."
"Though you would like to believe that understand I am the only one on Hsaudo Rin you can trust." Trinity turned her head towards Nero, "The last of devils is in a league of his own and plots for the sole purpose of gaining more power. And with your presence here he may take this opportunity to take on the others."
"So what's his name?" Nero asked.
"Vergil…" Trinity finished walking into the depth of the forest.
"Vergil, huh…" Nero restated falling back on the ground out of exhaustion.
A group of moths, which waited behind Nero, flew off into the distance as soon as Nero's head hit the ground. As he fell asleep the once silent forest buzzed within a breeze of wind. Suddenly, batches of termites took host on the gray trees, eating its bark swiftly.
Beelzebub was kneeled down in the center of Aeolus throne room as various bugs crawled on the ground from and to his body.
"Zahra has fallen, so you may have her territory," Aeolus answered, Beelzebub's previously unasked question.
"…" the insect's words buzzed a slight hum, which only Aeolus seemed to be able to interpret.
"Yes, it's unclear where Trinity's loyalties lie," Aeolus' voice murmured, "And it would appear Leviathan has sided with her. I don't want to lose her…or Leviathan but if they prove a threat they are expendable. Mordus is of no concern, therefore Tatyana can have him. As for Nero and Vergil I want them to enjoy their lives until I find them… worthless."
Beelzebub's body disintegrated into gangs of insects, once again, taking off to four different directions.
"Soon, this world and all of demon world will bow to my feet." Mordus said as he came to a crystal clear stream. He kneeled down and ran his fingers through the deep waters, "And the beauty of this world will fall under my corruption," and from his fingers the water started to run with a blood like stain.
The blood that came from Mordus' hand stretched across the stream, unaltered by the current, and crystallized. As Mordus walked along his blood red bridge the stream's water seemed to move right through as if it wasn't there.
Suddenly, a large shadowy figure crept underneath the bridge just below Mordus. As Mordus made his way to the middle of the bridge he stopped as did the figure below him.
"What are you waiting for Tatyana, attack me." Mordus thought apparently being aware of the devil queen's presence the whole time. "Taking your power for my own will give me an army of demon's power to my own. Then Vergil and Aeolus will bow to my presence as well."
"Is that all you got?" a voice called out to Vergil. "After all those times you held back with me I finally beat you and you don't even want a rematch. Stop being weak and show me your power."
"Dante…!" Vergil woke feeling somewhat free. "You'll never be stronger than me; I'll prove it to you."
Vergil sat up grabbing for Rafier but the strong will he once felt from it was gone. Vergil's body was weak but he managed to get up, putting on Leviathan's trench coat. He looked towards the mountains that towered before him.
From above, upon the cliffs of the mountains a strong figure stalked Vergil like prey. His brown complexion mirrored the stone grounds around him and complemented his brute like stature. As the sun reflected from the man's bald head, the wind gave flight to his roman like toga.
"Come to me," the dark man called, "so I may fulfill my master's will."
Nero remained at rest as the gray forest that was once surrounded him now appeared as a wasteful marsh. The termites that made this transformation were gathered at bogs where trees use to stand. And with each passing second more insects seemed to gather.
Formerly a Reader's Choice:
Vergil's Storm of Humanity
Nero's Storm of Tactics
Or Mordus' Storm of Webs
((The winner was Storm of Tactics))
But thanks for reading...
