Chapter 12: Detonation
"I forgot, nice fighting back there Trogdor." Dante said patting Vir on the back
"Why do you call me that?" Vir asked curiously "What is Trogdor?"
"It's from a song." Lady said "Trogdor was man."
"No, Trogdor was a dragon man." Aaron countered "It says so in the song."
"Guys, Trogdor was just a dragon. But Vir is a dragon man so it's close enough." Dante shrugged "It's just a nickname."
"Shouldn't we be focused on the artifact?" Trish reminded them
"Right, it's right down this staircase." Aaron said
"This stair case is longer than the other two. Am I the only one who's nervous about going into the depths of the earth?" Lady sighed
"I know this'll be bad as well." Aaron replied "But it has to be done. You can go back if you want to."
"No, I was just saying."
"If you're scared, you can hold onto me." Dante grinned "I'll protect you milady."
"Asshole." Lady muttered with a smile
They reached the bottom of the staircase and came into a large chamber. It was obviously the main prayer chamber. The walls were encrusted with jewels and a large circular alter was positioned in the center of the room. Standing at the altar was a man. He had short black hair and green eyes. He gave the group a warm smile.
"Welcome! You're not a moment too soon." He said politely
"Forget the pleasantries you scum bag." Aaron growled "What is the meaning of this? You're really betraying the family?"
"Betraying? I'm just taking what I deserve." He said still polite "Can't you see that?"
"What I see is a selfish petty old man." Aaron said "What do you mean to accomplish?"
"Our family has incredible powers. Not as strong as a greater demon, but beyond that of a normal human." His demeanor changed to that of annoyance "And we waste it! We don't exercise it at all. We use it for utilitarian purposes, sport against each other, and in your case exterminating demons. That's all well and good, but why can't there be more? Why can't we rise above normal humans?"
"Rise above?" Lady asked "You mean rule? You think that will work?"
"You really think you can rule the world?" Dante laughed
"Alexander the Great failed at that." Vir commented "And at best, you're above average, not great."
"Shut your mouth you worthless reptile! You should bow before me." He exclaimed "You, a slave, dare mock me."
"I'm not your slave anymore you charlatan!" Vir snarled "Your necklace is gone! I'll never bow to you again."
"Charlatan, nice." Trish smiled
"And I don't expect to rule the world." Samuel said "I know that is impossible, even with the power for the artifact. I just want a piece, enough that people will recognize this family as…better."
"And, what if the people don't want to give up this piece of the world?" Dante asked
"They can't stop me can they?" He smirked
"But why all of this?" Aaron asked "Why didn't you just take it after you scared the family off? And why involve other family members in your plan?"
"I want members of the family on my side. I want them to see it my way. Shame that you killed my sister and niece. They would have been great allies. But, oh well" Samuel shrugged "As for why I haven't taken it yet, I can't. The artifact is sealed behind the wall behind the Altar. It requires a blood sacrifice upon the altar."
"Why is it always blood?" Lady cringed
"Because blood is life." Dante replied "No greater force than life, and none more precious. That's why a blood seal is used on powerful items. People think twice about giving it up."
"Precisely, this seal requires enough blood to kill." Samuel laughed "The people who built this place really didn't want anyone to use the amulet. You see, there must be two types of blood. One of a human and the other of a demon, but a member of our family would fill both requirements. Of course, the family member would have to be bled dry to fit them."
"So you lured me down here." Aaron shook his head "I'm honored, but why me?"
"I know that you would try to stop me, so it solves both my problems. Plus, I hate you. You waste your powers in service of others." He said "But this appears to be more trouble than it's worth. I should have used my sister, but it's too late now. It's a shame that her blood is going to waste on the floor above."
"Mother fucker!"Aaron yelled "You miserable bastard. True, Liz was a bitch, but she shared your ideals. She allied with you and trusted you. You write her off like nothing! You make me sick. Loyalty and family means nothing to you."
"What's this? I got through that care free shell of yours. Something finally got to you." Samuel smirked
"I knew you were a bastard from the beginning. But this, I don't even know what to say." Aaron smiled grimly "You did get to me. Kudos for that. I have a long fuse. But, there are certain buttons that cause instant detonation. You just hit one."
"Come to your sacrifice." He smiled
"You're mine." Aaron growled "Everyone stay back."
Aaron drew his sword and tossed it into the air. Velox took her true form and stood next to Aaron. She gave him a confused looked. He just flashed his usual smile.
"Stay back, Velox." Aaron said "Just me and him."
Aaron stepped forward and approached the center of the room. Samuel gave a smile and raised his hand. A large red barrier appeared behind Aaron.
"No escape. The barrier will only break if I will it, or die." Samuel said "Though, the later is impossible."
With those words, Aaron drew a dagger from his cloak and pointed it forward. Samuel removed a crystal vial from his pocket and tossed it above Aaron's head. Aaron threw his dagger and shattered the bottle causing a violet liquid to rain down on him. He immediately dropped to the ground unable to move. He found himself unable to move or see.
"What the fuck?" Aaron demanded
"It's a handy little demonic elixir that temporarily incapacitates whoever it touches." The man explained "It doesn't last long, but long enough for my purposes."
The others watched in horror as the man levitated Aaron onto the altar. They all rushed the altar only to be stopped dead by the barrier. Dante drew Rebellion and slashed at the wall of energy.
"Don't bother, it won't help. By the time you break my barrier, it'll be over." Samuel picked up Aaron's dagger and stood over the altar "Thanks for providing the dagger."
"Cheap tricks." Aaron chuckled "Lame."
"Goodbye child." He raised the dagger and prepared to bring it down
"No." Velox said calmly
She turned into a katana and flew toward the barrier. The blade pierced the barrier causing it to shatter. Velox changed back in mid flight and landed on the edge of the altar closest to Samuel. His shock distracted him and he was met with a harsh kick to the face before he could react. He was sent reeling back and hit the wall.
"How did you break my barrier?" He struggled to get to his feet "You have that sheer power?"
"You need to understand the type of demon I am. It wasn't about pure power, but of precision and sharpness." Velox said "My ancestor was incredibly powerful; he could slice through any barrier. This includes the barrier that separates the demon and human realms."
"You're a descendant of…."
"Yamato." Dante's eyes widened then he smiled lightly
"Correct, and while I am not as sharp or precise as him I could handle your barrier easily. I do have something my ancestor doesn't though. I have humility. You see he was led to destruction by his pride. Just like you." She smiled sadly
"This is an interesting turn." Trish commented
"I have to agree Miss Trish." Vir nodded
"I have not reached my destruction yet." Samuel said "You think you can defeat me?"
"I will not let you harm my love." Velox said in a dangerously low voice
Aaron, and not to mention Trish, smiled at her words.
"Love? You think he could love a creature such as you?" Samuel sneered
"Your words mean nothing at all." Velox said calmly "If you wish to fight, I'll be happy to slice you in two."
"Not necessary Velox." Aaron labored to get to his feet as the potion began to wear off "Wow, this stuff doesn't last that long."
Aaron took a few stumbling steps. He stretched sluggishly, obviously not at in peak condition. He shook his head to clear the dizziness. He glared at his uncle furiously.
"Velox, we fight together." Aaron said "Let's see how Samuel does without his cheap tricks."
Velox nodded and turned back into a sword. She flew into his hands and he smirked. He swung the sword and checked it's balance, trying to regain his complete senses.
"Good enough." He shrugged "Alright, now you die."
"Come boy; let's see what you can do." Samuel stepped forward and raised his hand again "Don't forget, I also know how to use a sword."
The ground rippled and a sword emerged flying into the man's hand. He turned from Aaron and looked at the altar. He turned back and raised his sword. The fight began. The two traded attacks and parries. Samuel clearly had the upper hand due to Aaron's weakness.
"C'mon! Tear him a new one!" Lady yelled enthusiastically
"Slice him in half!" Dante called
"They are peas in a pod" Vir commented
Aaron's speed picked up as the elixir began to fade completely. The two locked their weapons and struggled to overpower each other
"Looks like you're not as tough as you thought." Aaron sneered "Relying on some elixir instead of fighting like a man."
"Even without the elixir, you are no match for me." Samuel growled "You are inferior. You and that whore are finished!"
"You had to push my button again." Aaron chuckled "I've never exploded twice in one day. You should feel proud."
Aaron drew back and landed a kick to his uncle's stomach causing the man to reel back in pain. With one more swing of his blade, Aaron shattered his uncle's sword. Samuel thrust his arm forward, releasing a burst of demonic energy. The blast stuck Aaron in the chest, but he just shrugged it off. Aaron smiled at the shocked expression his uncle was wearing. He looked down at his sword and nodded.
"You and me." He said
A gold glow emanated from Velox and enveloped Aaron's body. His skin turned to metal, the same as Velox. His eyes turned a fiery shade of orange and took an inhuman look.
"What's happened to him?" Lady asked looking to Dante
"Devil trigger." Dante replied his eyes wide
"How?" Trish asked "How can he do it?"
"Fuck if I know." Dante shrugged
Samuel fired more bursts of energy in fear, trying to bring his opponent down. None of the blasts fazed Aaron at all. Aaron raised his blade and swung his sword in a horizontal ark, slicing his uncle's midsection and sending him flying
backwards. He landed on the altar in a bloody heap. He drew a few wordless breaths and the life left his eyes as his blood seeped onto the altar.
"Boom." Aaron said simply
The glow faded and he collapsed to his knees and dropped his sword. He breathed heavily in exhaustion. Velox took her demon form and helped him to his feet. The others crowded around him.
"That was amazing." Dante said patting him on the back "How did you do it?"
"Do what?" Aaron asked
"That transformation, Devil Trigger." Lady said "How did you do it?"
"That's what that's called?" Aaron asked "I don't know. Velox and I were both pissed and it just happened."
"I lent you my power. We became one in that moment." Velox explained with a blush
"That's so sweet." Trish giggled
"I hate to kill this moment, but what is happening with the altar?" Vir asked breaking them out of their conversation. "You should observe."
They all turned their attention to the altar which was now glowing faintly. They looked on in horror as tentacles emerged from the altar and gripped Samuel's body. The tentacles and the body sunk into the altar. The door behind the altar began to rumble and slowly opened outward. Behind the wall, was the amulet.
"That's what that thing was going to do to me?" Aaron asked in horror
"I could so easily make that into a hentai joke, but I think we've all been through enough today." Dante said
"I greatly appreciate that." Trish said shuddering
Vir gave a confused look and Trish promised to explain it to him later.
"So this thing is what my uncle wanted so badly. "Aaron entered the hidden chamber and grabbed the amulet examining it closely. "It's so small."
"You'd be surprised how much power something as small as an amulet can hold." Lady commented nudging Dante "Right?"
"You have no idea." The Son of Sparda replied
"Well, whatever, we need to destroy this thing." Aaron said "I don't want anyone else getting any bright ideas."
"That is the best course of action." Velox agreed
"Okay, pull!" Dante said drawing his gun
Aaron obliged and tossed the amulet into the air. Dante took aim but was met with disappointment when the amulet exploded before he could pull his trigger. He turned to see Lady holding up her pistol.
"Too slow, I beat you to it." Lady teased
"Mission complete." Aaron said "Now let's get out of this hell hole. We need to rest after this, and you guys need to get paid." Aaron said
AUTHOR NOTE: That was the longest chapter I have ever written in my life!
I put a lot of effort into this chapter.
I still need to settle things with at least one more chapter (at least). So the ride is not over yet
I promise a lemon scene soon! My first lemon scene ever!
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