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"Daddy!"
Sparda barely had time to react when Nero and Celeste flew at him, wrapping their arms around his legs. He smiled and pried them off, as Eva came over
"How did your job go?"
"It went really well, actually"
He was hiding his worries about Balthazar and doing it quite well. Eva had no idea he was anxious about the demon wanting to bring Hell on Earth and he wasn't going to let her know about it. She didn't need it
"You're back"
Sparda looked up at his elder sons and smiled, before heading over to them
"Happy birthday, you two"
He ruffled their hair, as both boys protested. Still smiling, Sparda headed to his office, hanging his weapons up, before sitting down at his desk, putting his feet up on the table and letting out a long sigh. Balthazar would indeed take some time to take out and he needed to do it quick. He had given the Perfect Amulet to Dante and Vergil, after believing he didn't need it anymore. However, he knew there were other ways to obtain his demon strength and he knew the one person who could do it, as well as giving him some information about Balthazar. Sparda sighed again, before getting up from his desk and leaving his office
"I'm heading out"
"What? Already?" Eva said
"Yeah, got some things I got to take care of," he said, "But don't worry, nothing to fret about. I'll be back in a couple of hours"
"Okay. Be careful"
"I'm always careful," he grinned
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"Why didn't you take Sparda out when you had the chance?" Gloria asked, "I'm pretty sure you had a chance there. And you also missed him with your attack"
"I wasn't intending to hit him," Balthazar tried to reason, "I was just giving him a threatening warning that we mean business"
"No, you mean business, with you acting all business-like"
"At least I'm always on my toes"
"Duh, cause without them, you wouldn't be able to walk, moron"
"Oh, I give up," Balthazar groaned as Gloria smirked
"So, what's your big plan on getting the swords?" she asked, "Does it involve more talking? Trying to bore Sparda into giving you the swords?"
"Shut up"
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Sparda knocked on the door and waited a few minutes before it was opened. A young girl of about eight years old with short red hair and bright green eyes
"Uh, hello there," Sparda said
"Lucia, who is that at the door?" asked a familiar voice
"A white-haired man," young Lucia answered
A woman aged in her mid-thirties appeared behind Lucia and smiled when she saw Sparda, as Lucia stepped out of the way
"Sparda, it's really good to see you again," Matier said
"Likewise," Sparda said, "Can I come in?"
"Sure, sure"
She stepped aside as Sparda walked into her home and looked around. It was a nice and cosy house, as Lucia sat at the table, drawing in her colouring book
"Nice child you have there," Sparda said, "When was she born?"
"Eight years ago," Matier answered
"Ah and the father?"
"There is none. Now, what can I do for you?"
Sparda noted that she didn't want to talk about it and let it go
"There's a demon running around called Balthazar. Do you know him or of him?"
"Hmm, Balthazar. I might have some books on the demon. Let me check"
Matier headed to her small personal library, as Sparda looked over at Lucia. He noted that she looked nothing like her mother whatsoever. Before he could continue pointing out differences between Lucia and Matier, the latter arrived back in the room, a small pile of books in her arms, which she dumped onto the table
"Lucia, honey, could you take that into your room, please?" Matier asked
"Sure"
Lucia grabbed her pencils and book, before heading upstairs to her room, as Matier selected a book and started going through it
"Let's see, Balthazar, Balthazar, Balthazar"
Sparda waited patiently as she went through the books
"Ah yes, here we are. A demon, very high in the ranks. Powers range from telekinesis to energy blasts. Wields a large spiked sword called Jagget. Approach with caution"
"He's after my old sword and Linkin," Sparda said, "He said he wants to unleash Hell, but I don't think that is true. Sparda and Linkin together unleash Beelzebub"
"Well, why would Balthazar want to release Beelzebub? As far as I know, they're not in league together. They can't be. Beelzebub's been locked away for over two thousands years, correct?"
"Yeah, that's correct. I was the one who locked him away"
"Very curious"
"Well, Balthazar did have a young woman with him," Sparda supplied, "She seemed powerful, from what I gathered from her"
"Did you get a name?" Matier asked
"No, but I do have her appearance. Short white hair, bright blue eyes, dark skin"
Matier went through the books, trying to match the description to a demon, before settling on a page that had a picture of Gloria next to a box of text
"What about Gloria, the daughter of Beelzebub?"
"That could be her. I think she and Balthazar are having some kind of relationship. That would explain why he's trying to unleash Beelzebub"
"Gloria has the power to corrupt the hearts of men, as well as teleportation and her skin is very tough. Can deflect most swords. Hasn't been seen in over two thousand years," Matier read
"Until now," Sparda said, "Oh man, looks like I've got a big job to do"
"That you do, Sparda. And I would be careful whilst dealing with these two. Very careful, indeed"
"Don't worry, I will. Thanks for that. I'll see you around"
"It was good to see you again, Sparda"
Sparda smiled and left the house. Matier sighed and sat down at the table. She had a feeling something very bad was going to happen to her best friend
"Mother, are you okay?" Lucia asked
"I'm fine, dear. Why don't you get ready for bed, okay?"
"Okay"
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"Do you have a plan yet?" Gloria asked in a bored voice
"I'm thinking of one"
"Is it hurting?"
"What?"
"Is it hurting your brain? Thinking? Does it hurt?"
"No, it doesn't"
"Well, hurry up and think of a plan"
"Why don't you?"
"Yeah, good idea. Women are so much better at making up plans than men"
Balthazar growled under his breath, as Gloria smirked at him, toying around with a double-ended dagger
"Do we know where Sparda lives?" she asked
"No, I don't think so. I guess we're gonna have to find out, huh?"
"Well, duh obviously"
"Alright, you go and find out where he lives. Take the Pride demons with you. I'm gonna go and try to find those damn swords"
"He would have them on him," Gloria said
"I'm not so sure about Linkin," said Balthazar, "Last I remember, that was in the hands of Graxtius. And I haven't heard anything about him in a long time"
"Well, you gotta try. I'm heading out"
Gloria turned and walked away from Balthazar, who sighed
"She is going to be the death of me"
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