Chapter 8

Cuthbert led them into the den and poured a cup of tea for everyone. The den was as lavish as rest of the house. Dark brown and tan curtains adorned the huge arched windows. The ornate designs and moldings on the ceiling added to the grandeur of the room. Huge couches were placed around the huge fireplace. The mantel placed at the top of the fireplace held pictures of the family.

He picked up the picture of Mr. Mayors and Rayven, taken when she was 11 years old. It was taken a year after Mrs. Mayors had died. The event had shocked her and she had become reclusive again. To get her out of her shell, Mr. Mayors had bought her a pony. She had loved it and they went riding every day. She had always loved spending time with her Dad. 'She looks so happy here.' He thought sadly, knowing that she would become sad and angry with what he was about to reveal.

Vergil had brought him up to speed about his organization and also with regards to the events of the past few days. Cuthbert was shocked to know that it all happened within a span of two days. He had always known that they would find each other but didn't expect it to be so sudden. He had made every attempt to keep Rayven away from it all. But destiny had already laid out their life and all he had done was prolong the inevitable.

Dante sat on the large window sill overlooking the garden at the back. His mind was pre-occupied and he was trying to reason with himself. He liked getting on Rayven's nerve just to get a reaction out of her. That seemed to be the only way they liked to communicate. He loved the way her face flushed and her eyes sparkled as she retorted back at him. But he knew it that it wasn't the only reason. Every time he looked at Rayven, he was reminded of someone. He felt like he knew her from before, much before. Her giggle was far too familiar.

Vergil feeling completely at home with environment sat on the ornate sofa chair. He grew up in a similar environment, so it was nothing new. He sipped his tea and kept stealing glances at Rayven. His attraction to her was growing steadily. He was unable to get her off his mind. The more he tried to distance his attention from her, the more interested he got. He didn't want to get involved any further then he already did, but his heart was not listening to his mind. His intel on her was spotty at best. He had to know more.

Rayven sat at the large sofa, still holding the photograph showing her most innocent face. She had always wondered about her real family. What they must have been like, whether they loved her or not. Did they not want her? Is that why she was abandoned? And with this photograph, finally she had a connection but now she was afraid to know the truth.

Cuthbert took a seat next to Rayven, pulled her hand into his and spoke. "I have tried so hard to keep you safe and away from harm. But what is to happen will happen."

Rayven shook her head and said, "Cuthbert, enough of these cryptic sentences. Just tell me who my parents are."

Cuthbert sighed sadly as he began, "Angels and demons have always fought with one another. Each race has battled for supremacy over the other. Demons have tried to enslave humanity and angels have tried to keep them from doing so."

"You know most of the story. Mundus had risen in ranks and had his brother, Sparda on his side as his most trusted. Sparda looked up to Mundus. They had several followers, ready to implement their every command."

"Sparda's army was powerful and Angel's had to face defeat several times. It was so because of Sparda's most devout follower, Agnes."

All three were listening intently. Vergil listened with complete attention, trying to put the past together in his mind. Dante's attention was on Rayven. Her eyes showed her vulnerability and sorrow, like she was unsure of herself. And somehow he felt the same sadness in his heart.

Cuthbert continued on, "Agnes was the weapons specialist. She had equipped the army well and trained them to be the best. Her skills in battle were unmatched, so was her beauty, even by the angels themselves. She had sworn her loyalty to Sparda and every word of his was a command for her."

"When Sparda shared his feelings about Eva, she began to despise him. Any association with angels is frowned upon by the demons, she knew that. So she stood in opposition to him at Mundus's side."

"Sparda's life with Eva was interrupted several times by the angels and demons alike. The war raged even more fiercely, each side aching for a win. Eventually the angels took the lead and Mundus was surrounded. Agnes sacrificed herself, got herself captured just to aid his escape."

"She was summoned before the leader of the angels' army in a bid to extract secrets from the enemy. But she stood firm and bore all the torture, never revealing a word. The leader tried relentlessly, he tried every method but she revealed nothing. Each having complete contempt and hatred for one another."

"Eventually their hatred turned into attachment, affection and ultimately into love. Michael rebelled against his own kind." Cuthbert said with deep sorrow.

"Michael?" Vergil spoke in-between. "The Archangel?"

Rayven and Dante looked at Vergil and then turned their attention to Cuthbert, neither believing a word of what he just said.

"Yes. The Archangel Michael. They loved each other immensely and kept their love a secret from everyone."

Pointing to the twins he said, "They saw the love between Sparda and Eva blossom into new life. And four years later they were blessed with the same. You, Rayven."

"They loved you so much." he said with tears in his eyes and Rayven squeezed his hand in acknowledgement. Every word of his came as a shock to her.

"They knew Mundus was growing suspicious and eventually three years later, the unthinkable happened. Mundus killed Eva, had Sparda imprisoned. His next target was your parents."

"Michael had devised an escape plan but before he could implement it, they were attacked. Agnes was killed in the attack. Michael somehow managed to save you and he asked me to keep you safe."

"I sent you to the orphanage, knowing that would be the last place they would look for you. I planned to keep tabs on you till it was safe for you to return. But as the war raged to its peak, Michael was killed and you were lost. I searched for you day and night for four years but to no success. It was a stroke of luck that I saw you being dragged into a police car one night."

Dante who up until now paid little attention turned his head towards Cuthbert in surprise. 'Dragged into a police car...' He was reminded of that night. He hadn't thought of that night in years.

"Jack and Nora Mayors were childless and I had taken up a job here as the caretaker, persuaded them to adopt you and help raise you, and continued to do so even after their death and now here we are."

Rayven leaned back into the sofa and looked at Cuthbert. "So, my mother was a demon and my father an angel. That makes me like... them." she said looking towards Dante and Vergil.

"Yes. Nephilim. But not just any nephilim. You have the blood of an Archangel running through your veins."

"And Mundus knows I exist?"

"Yes. He also knows that your blood in his hands can unleash pure hell here on earth."

All three youngsters looked at him in shock. Neither knowing what to say. Finally Rayven asked," What do you mean 'hell on earth'?"

"Your blood will make Mundus invincible. And then no power will be able to defeat him. Not even nephilim." Cuthbert said in complete seriousness. It was then that they realized the gravity of the situation. " But he thinks that Sparda had just one child."

"Me." Dante said in response.

Cuthbert nodded in approval and said, "He wants each and every speck of Sparda and Agnes destroyed. He is still filled with same anger and fury as before. But he would stop at nothing to capture Rayven."

Rayven closed her eyes not wanting to show any signs of weakness. She knew none of this, her life had not exactly been the easiest but her adoptive parents had made her life seem perfect. She opened her eyes and asked," Vergil says that we are the only ones who can kill Mundus. Is it true?"

"As far as we know, yes." Cuthbert replied." That's why you had to be kept safe and secret. Your father armed you with his own weapon, the sword of Michael." He pointed to the tattoo on her wrist.

"The most powerful one amongst all angels." Vergil said, stunned by this new revelation and Cuthbert simply nodded.

"This is too much to take in." Rayven stated slowly as she got up.

She turned around to look at the three men, all of whom were simply staring at her. Neither knew how to react to the situation. She saw Cuthbert, the man who raised her and then she saw the two - Dante and Vergil. Just being in their presence made her heart beat faster and insides shudder. She was confused and all this new information was not making it easy.

"I need some fresh air." she said as she turned quickly to step out of the room.

"My dear, Wait!" Cuthbert called after her.

"You knew all this and you kept it from me. I can't believe you would do that." She yelled back and ran out.

Cuthbert shook his head and looked down at his hands in despair. Dante and Vergil looked at him and were quiet as neither knew what to say. Both had felt the same intense sorrow that Rayven had felt.

Vergil got up from his seat and asked," Is she going to be alright?"

"I don't know." Cuthbert said sadly.

Vergil looked back at Dante and saw him stare out the window. He walked out the room to find her.

Dante looked outside the window and saw Rayven running away from the house. She looked upset and was almost on the verge of tears. And as Vergil left, he followed suit.