Okay … yet another chapter … I'm on a roll. I would like to thank everyone for their reviews. Please enjoy!


Dante and Selene had just made it back to their shared dorm room when the alarm had gone off.

Selene lifted her head. "What is that?"

"It's the vault alarm. It trips if somebody is trying to get into the vault." Dante said.

"Then we need to go." Selene said, walking to the door.

Dante grabbed her shoulders. "No. What ever is going after the spear will come after you. I won't risk it. If anything gets The Herald … and you're standing right there … it'll be trouble."

Selene shook her head. "But we can't just do nothing."

"I didn't say we were going to do nothing." Dante said. "I'm betting that Isaac guy has something to do with it."

"But … you don't think that Belmont would do anything?" Selene said.

"I don't know the guy." Dante said. "But you don't you think that since he was here … and then Isaac … things just got twice as worse?"

Selene shook her head. "No. He couldn't. Belmont is a good man … he cares about the family … cared about my brother and I. He would never do anything to hurt us."

"Demons often mimic the ones we love ... sometimes even pretend they care about you-"

"You don't understand!" Selene snapped. "The only time the house was ever safe was when Belmont was there!"

Dante looked at her. "What do you mean?"

"Demons rarely came to our home … it was like they couldn't come near it. But it only happened when Belmont was there. The night my mother was killed … Belmont had gone to London. When he found out my mother was dead … I had never seen him so upset. He was just as horrified about it as we were." Selene sighed shakily. "He would have to leave sometimes to investigate. And when he wasn't there … Michael and I would have to go into hiding. That's why Michael sought outside help. He knew Belmont couldn't protect us always."

"Wait … demons wouldn't come near your home if Belmont was there?" Dante said.

Selene nodded. "And … the day my mother died … at her funeral … when he saw Michael and I mourning her loss … it was like he had died inside. Surely a demon can't fake that."

Dante shook his head. "No. They can't. Belmont genuinely cares about your family. He looks at you with pride. But that Isaac guy … I've never met him … but Lady says there's something about him."

"Maybe Isaac is a demon, and he was going to come after me … but Belmont stopped him. Maybe he has Belmont somewhere." Selene said.

"I think if we want this straightened out … we need to find Isaac." Dante said.

Selene nodded. "Any ideas where he might be?"

Dante shook his head. "No. But … Lady said she left him at the train station. So we'll start there."

The two of them left. Fortuna was swelling with activity. All the knights had been summoned. There were all kinds of demons coming from the chapel that the knights were slaying. They were still pretty low level demons. If a demon lord wanted to get the spear … surely he would send a greater demon like Raijin or Dracos …?

Dante and Selene sped down to the station and found nothing. They followed along … coming to a patch of woodland. It had been the same forest left over from when His Holiness had summoned the demons. It was the forest created by Echidna. The place attracted slightly stronger demons, but not many. Nero had kept it as a next level training ground, for those who had mastered The Amphitheatre.

"Wait …" Selene skidded to a halt.

Dante stopped behind her. "What is it?"

"There's something … here." Selene said.

Dante glanced around. There was an air to the forest … similar to what he had felt when he had first come here when His Holiness was wreaking havoc.

"You're right." Dante said. "There's a greater demon in this forest."

Selene slowed her breathing, keeping as quiet as possible. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end … a cold tingle ran through her body.

There came a rustle behind them, and the two swerved, drawing their guns. From the foliage came Isaac.

"You!" Dante said. "What the hell are you doing here? Are you that Isaac guy?"

Isaac nodded. "I was sight seeing and then there was a surge of demons. It seems that there is a Demon lord here."

Isaac looked at Selene … and he smiled brightly. "You must be … Selene …"

Isaac walked to Selene, but Dante fired a shot at Isaac's feet, making him stop.

"Hold it right there." Dante growled. "Just what the hell is going on here?"

"Going on?" Isaac repeated. "It is as I said-"

"Don't give me that crap. You arrive here, and that Darrus demon shows up, with an army of demons." Dante said. "So you … keep back. You're not getting anywhere near Selene."

"You are the son of Sparda." Isaac said. "You look very much like your father."

"What have you done to Belmont?" Selene burst.

"Belmont …?" Isaac looked confused. "I haven't done anything to him."

"Well then where is he?" Dante asked.

"I really couldn't tell you." Isaac sighed.

"Well it just seems a little too convenient to me. You do a vanishing act … and then somebody breaks into the vault."

"The vault?" Isaac looked stunned. "What do you mean?"

"Those sirens going off means there are demons trying to crack open the weapon vault here in Fortuna … that's the vault The Herald is being kept in." Dante said.

Isaac made a grim expression. "You … you people … have The Herald here …?"

"Don't act dumb. I'm pretty sure you tagged along with Lady just so you could get it." Dante said.

Isaac shook his head. "She never told me it was here."

"Then why did you come here?" Selene asked, studying Isaac's stricken face. He looked … horrified.

"I came here for you …" Isaac said.

Dante aimed both is guns at Isaac.

"I meant … I came here to help. You see … I know your father." Isaac said. "I didn't know he had children. Not until I met Lady."

"My father …?" Selene repeated.

"Yes. I haven't spoken to him in a very long time. When I saw Lady … I heard the demons in the bar muttering about The Herald. I thought nothing of it … there was no way a demon is strong enough to take on an angel. But then when they mentioned a half blooded girl … I helped Lady. I wanted to see if it was true." Isaac stared at Selene as though enraptured.

"That's why you wanted information about me." Selene said.

"I had to know if it was true. It has never happened before … a half angel child. I didn't even know if it was possible. But you … you positively pulse with angelic power. Whether I was here or not … those demons would have come … and the fact that you are in the same place as The Herald is dangerous. You shouldn't be here." Isaac said. "There are half demons … and humans … everything Darrus would need to activate The Herald. It is madness."

"That doesn't explain why you're skulking around in the forest." Dante said slowly.

"I came here because there is a greater demon here. I thought it was going after Selene." Isaac said. "I haven't caught up to it yet. You can both feel it … you must be able to."

The two nodded. "Yeah … but that's not what is going after The Herald. There are demons inside Fortuna as well."

Isaac shook his head. "Take Selene and get her as far away from here as you can. She cannot stay here. No matter what, you must get her to safety."

"I intend to." Dante said. "But you … how do you know all of this?"

Isaac shook his head. "It's … complicated. More so than we have time for."

"What are you going to do?" Dante asked, still eying him suspiciously.

"I will do whatever I can." Isaac said, drawing The Halo.

Dante looked at Selene. He didn't trust Isaac. But he could see sense in what he said. Darrus was pulling out all the stops. But … was Isaac leading them into a trap? Was he trying to lead them away … cut them away from the group?

Dante turned to Isaac. The man stared at Selene as though he had seen a ghost, his face drawn with fear and concern. He was afraid. But was he afraid for Selene?

Dante scowled. Was he prepared to risk Selene's life? Certainly not.

"Come on." Dante said, taking Selene's arm.

Isaac seemed relieved.

"Wait." Selene said. "You know my father?"

Isaac nodded. "When this is all over … I promise I will come and find you and explain everything. For now … there is a motorbike by the station … you can use it to get away."

Dante grinned. A little convenient … but right now … he didn't have a choice. He pulled Selene with him.

Isaac watched them go, sighing deeply. "Take good care of her … son of Sparda."

Dante and Selene holstered their guns and were tearing back out of the forest, keeping an eye out for the motorbike Isaac spoke of. As they neared the station … they saw it. It was white, with large wheels, its chrome exhausts poking out, glinting in the early morning light.

"Jackpot." Dante said.

The keys were even in the ignition.

"Dante … don't you think this is all a little … convenient?" Selene said. "And what about Belmont?"

"Right now … though I don't trust Isaac … I do agree that you need to be away from The Herald." Dante said. "I'm not letting the demons get their hands on you."

He sank onto the motorbike, patting the seat behind him.

"Get on." He said.

Selene hesitated. "Dante … I understand what you're saying … but what about the others?"

"They can handle themselves." Dante said.

Selene folded her arms. "I know … that you just want to protect me … but … there are people there who can't. What about Kyrie? What about Belmont? He is here somewhere … probably in trouble. He's the closest thing to family I have."

Dante sighed. "Please … Selene …"

"Do you remember … you said to keep a clear head? When I fought Darrus? Well now … I'm telling you the same." Selene levelled her gaze at him.

"You are unbelievable!" Dante exclaimed, throwing his hands in the air.

"Look … I promise that if they get their hands on The Herald … I'll run like the wind. But please … we have to go back for them."

Dante sighed dejectedly. "Get on the bike."

Selene was about to open her mouth to protest … when she caught the devilish glint in his eyes. She grinned … then settled on the back of the bike, shuffling close to him.

Dante revved up the bike.

"Hold on tight, babe." He said.

Selene obliged.


Nero had almost reached the vault. He had been running down a dimly lit stone corridor, travelling deeper and deeper underground. His Devil Bringer illuminated the path ahead of him better than the torches, which had almost burnt out.

At he veered around the last corner, he saw Darrus studying the large vault door. Darrus turned to face Nero, a pointed smile stretching across his face.

"Oh. Now I do feel privileged. Another descendant of Sparda." Darrus wrung his hands together excitedly. "I was beginning to think you people had no manners … leaving me to wander down here without any supervision. That is a sign of poor hospitality you know."

Nero rubbed his nose and drew Red Queen, igniting the trigger, sending flashes of red against the stone walls. "My apologies. If it's hospitality you're looking for … I'm pretty sure I can oblige."

Darrus chuckled, striding towards Nero. "Oooh. That's a pretty sword."

"Yeah … it'll look even prettier when it cuts you to ribbons." Nero said.

Darrus smirked. "Oh … is that what you're going to do to me? I'm shaking."

Nero ignited Red Queen again, increasing its power and then charged for Darrus. Darrus neatly dodged every swing, but did not retaliate. This infuriated Nero even more. With a bellow, he grabbed Darrus with his Devil Bringer, grasped him tightly and then flung him down the hallway, away from the vault door.

He then charged, igniting Red Queen again and rammed the tip towards Darrus. With a slight jerk of his hand against the flat of the blade, Darrus changed the direction of the sword, diverting it away from him. Nero stumbled forwards. As Nero sailed by, Darrus pulled his arm back and grabbed Nero's throat and shook him roughly.

Red Queen slipped from Nero's grasp, sliding away across the stone floor. Darrus started slowly … and then picked up pace. Holding Nero off the ground, he ran faster and faster … until he slammed Nero against the vault door with enough force to bend the metal door inwards.

Nero gasped, the breath knocked from his chest. This demon was strong. With gritted teeth, Nero switched into his devil trigger … his blue demon counterpart fizzling in behind him. He punched Darrus back with his Devil Bringer.

Darrus went skidding backwards … and then he leaned forwards and righted his balance, stopping himself. He whistled.

"Well, well, my boy." He said. "You are skilled."

Nero charged for Darrus, bending while running and picking up Red Queen, and with a battle cry he rammed the blade straight through Darrus' middle … pushing him back. The further he got this creep away from the vault … the better.

Darrus chuckled and then, dug his heels in. He completely stopped, Red Queen burying itself further into his middle. In a liquid motion, he grabbed Nero's shirt, bent his knees … and then pushed up with tremendous force, bringing Nero up with him. They pummelled through the stone … and burst up outside the chapel. With Red Queen still buried in his gut, he threw Nero down. He pulled Red Queen from him and lobbed it at Nero's flailing body. Halfway to the ground, Red Queen impaled Nero … and pinned him down.

Nero coughed up blood.

He watched as Darrus sank down gracefully, touching down a few paces away from him. Darrus clapped his hands together as through rubbing off dust.

"Well now … that was fun." Darrus said. "But … I have things to do … a girl to kill … a spear to steal …"

Nero tried to push himself up, but Darrus leapt forwards, and kicked him back down.

"Uh, uh, uh." Darrus wagged his finger disapprovingly at him. "Be a good boy."

Nero growled angrily, and gripped Darrus leg. He tugged, and sent to demon falling backwards. Nero forced himself upwards, dislodging Red Queen from the ground. He yanked it from himself and whirled to face Darrus, who was getting to his feet.

Darrus was chuckling to himself, shaking his head.

Nero's legs were quaking slightly … he wasn't feeling so good. But he wouldn't let him get the spear. He was panting, out of breath.

"I was trying to go easy on you." Darrus said. "But … if you really want me to kill you … I suppose I can oblige. After all … your hospitality was commendable."

Nero ignited Red Queen again. "If you think you can … go ahead. I'm at your service."

When Darrus smirked … his eyes flashed red. Nero's jaw dropped … knowing that Darrus had been toying with him. He hadn't even used a fraction of his true strength.

"Kyrie …" He whispered. "I will protect you … I won't let this guy get away … I won't let him hurt you …"

As Darrus leapt towards Nero … there came the roar of an engine … and moments later … a white motorbike was hurled at Darrus, sending him pitching back into a building wall … and a massive explosion shook the ground.

Nero looked up and saw Selene and Dante falling down having leapt off the bike as it had been launched in mid air, moments before they threw it at Darrus.

"Hey kid." Dante said. "You look like hell. Mind if we take over this little dance?"

Nero shook his head smiling. "You guys have a poor sense of timing."

"Well … we're here now. Let's get this party started." Dante drew Alastor.

The three stared at the ball of flames that were still rising into the air from the explosion. Selene drew The Seraphim … and exhaled deeply. The white circlets appeared around her, her whole body glowing softly.

From the smoke and embers … a shadow made its way towards them. Darrus emerged from the wreckage that had punched a hole through the building, and the motorbike was bent and in pieces littered around the floor. Darrus didn't look happy. He suit was torn, his tie split, and his trousers were singed.

"You know … this suit was from Armani." He said, attempting in vain to brush away the dust and embers.

"Well … where we're sending you … you won't have to worry about that anymore." Dante said.

Darrus sighed disgustedly. He looked at Selene … and then cracked into a cold smile. "Oh … I have something for you."

Darrus reached into his pocket and drew out a necklace of some sort. It was a gold chain, and attached to it was a chunky white gold ring, with diamonds winking in it. Carved into it were the initials M.W.

Her eyes widened. "That belonged to my brother!"

"Yes … it does … doesn't it?" Darrus' smile widened. "Your brother looks like your mother … the woman I tore apart with my bear hands." He brought his thumb and finger together and then kissed them in a gesture which said 'delicious'. "Her screams were the most beautiful I have ever heard."

Selene scowled, and Dante set her hand on his shoulder to stay her.

"That's enough." Came a voice.

Trudging behind Dante, Selene and Nero … was Belmont.

"Belmont!" Selene exclaimed happily. "You're okay."

Darrus scowled, shuffling backwards. Belmont's eyes bored into his. Darrus sighed disgustedly … and then … exploded into a gnarling black smoke … and he was gone.

Nero relaxed. Dante drew Alastor. Selene exhaled and the circlets around her body vanished, the glow dimmed and then went out.

She threw her arms around Belmont, who embraced her back.

"Where have you been?" Selene asked.

"Sorry … I thought there might have been a lead on The Angelic Myth. I was mistaken … I was over at some ruins at the far side of the city. I haven't been able to sleep very well lately … I have been too worried about this business with the demons." Belmont rubbed her back comfortingly. "When the demons attacked I was trapped … I had to try and sneak by them … are you alright? Are you hurt?"

Belmont pulled Selene back, grasping her shoulders, looking her up and down as a worried father might do.

"No … I'm fine." Selene said.

"You had to hide from demons … huh?" Nero said. "So why is it you show up … and Darrus flees?"

Belmont looked at him. "You don't honestly think I scare him?"

Nero took in Belmont's lanky frame and somewhat aged face. "I suppose not."

"Then why did he take off?" Dante said, rubbing his chin thoughtfully.

"Perhaps he was frightened of Selene." Nero said. "You know … her power."

"Who knows." Dante said.

The group turned. All the demons sieging the chapel had gone as well. Strange … the last time Darrus had taken off … the demons had remained.

Lady came charging out of the chapel. "Nero!"

Nero turned. "What is it?"

"The spear!" She shouted. "The spear is gone! While you were out here … a greater demon came and took the spear."

"It was a distraction." Nero growled. "Darrus sent hordes of lower level demons to distract the Knights … and he distracted me … that must have been why he took off. He knew he already had the spear."

"But then why didn't he try and grab Selene as well?" Lady said.

Nero's features fell. "I don't know. He left when Belmont got here …"

Lady looked at Belmont, who was studying Selene.

Selene looked shaken. Dante wrapped his arm around her. Darrus had tormented her with her brother's ring. He didn't know how he had managed to get a hold of it. From the corner of his eye he saw Belmont's lip twitch in a smile. What was his problem?


Selene and Dante settled themselves in The Hall. It was a communal area where Knights would come to relax and take a break. There was a large log fire crackling and several plush sofas. They sat on the one that directly faced the fireplace.

The Knights had been sent out on duty and The Hall was empty. The spear was gone … and now all that remained was for Darrus to come for Selene. So every available Knight had taken up patrol. They had already lost The Herald.

Selene curled up to Dante, resting her head on his chest. He was glad now that they had come back and not run. There would have been less people to keep watch over her. Had that been Isaac's plan? Had he wanted to shoo them away so the greater demon skulking about in Echidna's forest could wait for the opportune moment to steal The Herald?

He thought about Isaac's look of concern and horror when Dante had told them The Herald was here. Was that faked?

He heard the door open and footsteps clipping on the stone floor. Dante turned his head and saw Lady pacing towards them.

Lady sank down on a seat next to the one Dante and Selene perched on.

"They cleaned up the chapel …" Lady said. "Nobody can find Isaac. I can't believe he had something to do with this."

Dante shrugged. "He knew there was a greater demon in those woods. He wanted me to take Selene away to safety."

"He was trying to separate you from us so that once The Herald was obtained … she would be easier prey." Lady said.

Selene sighed deeply. "He said he knew my father."

"He may well do … but right now … he's suspect numero uno." Lady leaned forwards. "I guess it's my fault for bringing him here. He just … there was something about him … something that dampened my distrust for him. I can't explain what it is."

"There was nothing you could do. Even I let him off the hook. I should have asked him more questions … should have dragged him with us." Dante said. "There is something about him."

The three looked into the fire for a while, listening to it crackle.

"There is one thing." Lady said. "I've been thinking about it for a while. Isaac told me that The Angelic Vault isn't a vault."

"No." Selene said. "It's not."

Lady turned to look at her. "You knew?"

"It's just something my brother once said to me when I was little. He said that The Angelic Vault was sort of a code name … but the original meaning for it went missing over time. You know … it was like an inside joke or something." Selene said. "I didn't know the whole story … it was just like a passing comment my brother made once while he studied The Book of Gabriel. I used to sit in the library with him while he studied it. He said that not everything was what it seemed when dealing with angels. It wasn't until Mead captured me and she told me about The Angelic Myth and The Herald that I realised that was what Michael was talking about."

Lady frowned thoughtfully. "So … if it's a statue of some kind … but that statue was code named 'The Angelic Vault' … I wonder what it could be."

Another silence dipped upon them.

"My brother made detailed notes anytime he found anything." Selene said. "He was better at riddles and things like that than I am. Out tutor used to say he was a genius. He could play any instrument, speak any language … he was a master at chess. The day he passed away he said he may have worked out what the demons wanted with us … and then … he was killed."

Lady's eyes were wide. "We have to get those notes. We have to get back to the Whitchurch Estate. And Selene has to come too, we'll need her help."

Dante looked serious. "No way. They have The Herald … if we leave … they'll come after her."

Lady grinned. "I have a plan."