Chapter 8: Darkness Falls
Since their first date, two more months flew by like minutes. It was now summer. Dante and Vera's relationship had grown and became stronger by the day. Nero was ecstatic and was happy that his own relationship with the older devils had flourished. He enjoyed talking to his mother and listening to her play the violin, which was also something Dante enjoyed. He even sang with the music and Nero was floored on how harmonious they were. Not one note was missed.
Even his relationship with Dante was akin to Father and Son. Dante began to teach him the finer points of the business and their bond strengthened as well.
Dante and Vera, as well as Nero, went on missions and trips. They even enjoyed their first Fourth of July as a family. The two Hunters hit the BBQ while Vera admired the fireworks. Then Dante surprised her by kissing her lovingly and holding her, whispering the words he had in his heart for quite a while:
"I love you Vera." The Hunter whispered. Vera's eyes widened but she kissed him again and hugged him. She looked at him and cupped his face in her hands.
"I love you too." Dante's smile was bright and the lovers kissed again. Nero smiled and silently wished them luck before he hugged them both and congratulated them. The older devils hugged him back and continued watching the fireworks and Nero handed his Mother the bear he had bought for her.
"Happy Independence Day Mother." Vera held the bear and smiled, hugging Nero and Dante ruffled his hair. This time, Nero didn't mind in the least.
The younger devil found out that Dante and Vera knew how to surf three weeks later when they all hit the beach. His mouth dropped when they both tackled a wicked wave!
"Wow, that couple's amazing!" An on looker said as she watched them surf with grace and skill. The men didn't dare check out his mother and the women didn't dare check out his father (although he used the term loosely, Nero knew it was only a matter of time). He grinned and watched as they flipped and all.
"Wow! Who are those two?"
"My parents." Nero said with a grin. The lady looked at him and blinked. "Your parents? How old are you kid?"
"Almost 25." Nero said. "My parents are in their mid 40s."
"Wow, they're in great shape. Get out there Junior, knock your parents into the dust!" Nero laughed and Nico grinned.
"Ye heard her 'Junior', get to goin'!" Nero grabbed his board and hit the waves.
"Step off, young blood coming through!" Nero crowed as he surfed through. Dante grinned.
"No way Kid, I'm still top demon around here."
"Oh yea? Tough guy huh? Well, its time I take you down a couple of notches!" Dante laughed heartily but the two Hunters surfed and weaved. Vera watched with a smile, still riding the waves as well. She blinked when she felt a icy burn in the back of her mind.
Do you honestly think I would keep my silence?
*What do you want?*
You honestly don't know? You foolish girl.
*You have caused enough trouble and pain. Your reign ends!*
It'll end when I SAY, not you!
"Vera! WATCH OUT!" Dante shouted. Vera turned and saw the huge wave just in time and rode it down to shore. Dante and Nero followed.
"Mother, are you all right?"
"Babe, what's going on?"
"It's him, he wants control once again. "Vera said. She hugged herself as if she were cold. Dante hugged her, holding her close.
"Nero, lets pack it up and take your mother home." He said. Nero nodded and soon the family returned home.
"Babe, talk to me, what happened exactly." Dante said as he held her close. He was angry but he kept his voice calm.
"It felt like as if I was burned with ice. Then I heard him in my head. He wants control again…."
"Babe, we'll figure this out, together." Dante said. Vera rested her head on his chest as he stroked her hair and held her. "Babe, I know you're scared but is that possible, two personalities fighting for dominion?"
"It is possible." Vera said coolly. She got up and picked a few books from the shelves. Dante grinned as Vera piled the books, a few legal pads, and a box of pens.
"Hmm, study date?" He asked. Vera looked at him and smiled.
"Yes and no." She said as she sat back down and rested on him. Dante picked up the first book while Vera picked up a pen and a pad. Both pored over it, took turns taking notes and discussing points. Time flew by and soon, the couple fell asleep in mid study.
Vera was standing on top of the ruined tower, looking at the figure before her who gripped Yamato, standing stock still.
"Why are you doing this?" She asked. The figure turned and looked at her. It was Vergil.
"Because I can. This life is mine, the body, mine, the power…mine. You can't handle it."
"No, it's mine, surrender Yamato!" The Demon Queen commanded.
"If you want it, you're going to have to take it." Vergil said. "I will not hand it over." He pointed Yamato at her. Vera smirked and summoned up Beowulf. Vergil blinked then chuckled, sheathing Yamato and set the blade down, summoning up Beowulf as well. Vera smirked then lunged.
"Babe, wake up. Ow!" Dante yelped as Vera fought him while she was sleeping, getting him near his jewels. He held Vera tightly, making sure he didn't hurt her and waited. She groaned and woke up.
"Dante, we have a problem."
"I'll say, you almost got me in the nuts."
"Sorry," Vera said and Nero blinked as he walked in from a mission. Dante waved and looked at him.
"Your mother had a bad dream and almost dropped me."
"How, she's smaller than you…."
"8 Ball, corner pocket." Dante said and Nero winced.
"Damn!" Nero said. He knew from personal experience, that move could drop any man. "So what happened?"
"I fought him at the tower ruins." Vera said. "He took Yamato."
"But Mother how can you fight …yourself?" Before Vera could answer she actually fell into a trance, stood up, unsheathed Yamato and stabbed herself through. Dante ran, catching Vera and looked at the form that fell back. It started to look like V but the face and body changed. The clothes were Dark Slayer gear and cruel blue green eyes opened. Once again, the Demon King was awake. He looked down at the fallen woman in Dante's arms and removed Yamato. Dante immediately healed her using his own power and Vergil chuckled coldly.
"I finally have what I needed." He said. "You can keep her Brother. She is quite lovely and will keep you out of my way." He turned and slashed a portal, about to walk through but Nero fired at him.
"Ah, my son, I see you too have grown fond of the woman. Try to stop me, if you can." He turned and walked through. Nero ran to them and felt his heart break as he saw Dante holding his mother, crying, heartbreak and anguish clear as day on his face and in his eyes. He loved Vera fiercely, and had planned to ask her to marry him. In an instant, his happiness and the love of his life, was taken away!
"Father," He addressed Dante. "What do we do?" He carried Vera up to her room and laid her down lovingly. He kissed her then looked up at Nero. The younger devil had to suppress a shiver of fear. Dante looked eerily like Vergil: Cold, calculating and militant.
"We fight." He said. Nero nodded and the two Hunters went after the Demon King, determined to bring back the one person who became their world.
Vergil waited at the topmost of the ruined devil tower. Even though he was split from Vera, he saw the memories. He saw how happy she had made not only Dante , but Nero as well. He saw the love in his twin's eyes for the Demon Queen. He saw how they danced, sparred and just how they were together and as a family. But he dismissed it. He was determined to rule, to gain his power. He held Yamato as he waited.
Dante was furious and Nero felt the heat of the older Hunter's aura and power. He was determined to end Vergil. Nero knew that he couldn't kill the other. Although split, the Demon King was Vera.
"Dante, you can't end him. He is Mother…"
"I cant allow him to be free. You remember what happened?"
"Yea but I have a funny feeling this fight is not ours."
"Then who's fight is it?"
It's Mother's." Nero said. "A battle to see who gets to exist, and be Yamato's owner. A battle for her life."
"How can she fight?" Dante asked. "She is gone!" Dante bit back tears. Vera, please Babe, come back to us. We need you. We love you. Come home Babe …I swear I will not rest until you are safe in my arms, to see you smile, hear your laugh…."
The Hunters reached to where Vergil was waiting. The older devil looked at them, not phased as he felt their anger and powers spike.
"I am feeling generous, I will give you 4 months to train. When over, I will come and we will settle the matter. If you win, I will surrender Yamato and restore your lady love and your mother. I will surrender my life so that way she will live. If I beat you, she will be asleep forever." Dante and Nero growled but agreed. Nero looked at his phone calendar. The battle would take place in December! We're in August …..
"Vergil, why?" Dante asked. The older man looked at his twin and for an instant he felt remorse. Then he killed it.
"I will not just be pushed to the side." Vergil said.
"I love her Vergil!" Dante cried. "Don't do this. Please give her back to me. Give Nero his mother back." Vergil closed his eyes then took a breath.
"You both heard my terms. I will see you in 4 months." With that, he slashed a portal and walked through. Dante bowed his head and cried. Nero held the older Hunter and cried with him.
"Let's go home kid, and check on your mother before we start." Dante said. Nero nodded and both Hunters headed home.
Trish, Nico, Patty, and Lady greeted the Hunters. All four women grew fond of Vera and when Dante told them what happened, they were ready to kick ass. They went upstairs to check on the Demon Queen but stopped when they saw the 3 familiars!
"Hey Little Chicken," Dante said. Griffon relaxed when he saw the older Hunter.
"Dante, what the fuck is going on?"
"Vergil's back. We got 4 months to train before he comes for the big showdown."
"You're shitting me?"
"I wish, watch your beak will ye?" Dante said. "What I don't get, is how you three are here?"
"Oh, you mean why aren't we with Vergil? Easy, he's not the real deal."
"OK," Dante groaned as rubbed his forehead as he tried to figure out what was said. Nero blinked, also confused. Nico nodded as she recalled from her father's research.
"I get it, the contracts!" She said. "The familiars are bonded to the one who holds their contract. It wasn't the Vergil that came forth when Vera stabbed herself with Yamato."
"Are you saying Mother is the original?" Nero asked.
"That's right. So the familiars know this. Vera is the real Mccoy." Dante went into the room and looked at the beauty. She was asleep, but her hair was black! The tattoos weren't full bodied as they had been when V was around. It was like a collar necklace. Her body was still strong but lightly tanned. Her demon power felt halved.
"Her power is halved." Dante said.
"No shit Shirley, the other half is running about. She has to absorb him." Griffon said.
"How will she do that if she's asleep bird brain?"
"Sheesh, I swear you got saw dust in your head. Ever read fairy tales?" Dante blinked.
"Yea sure but what are….are you saying all I have to do is kiss her? I have, she hasn't woken up."
"Maybe your breath killed her." Griffon said and Dante blushed. Nero and Nico laughed.
"I kissed her with garlic once!"
"All it takes is once Romeo." Griffon said. "Your breath even made me drop of a few feathers. Or was it your feet?"
"My feet never stink Little Chicken."
"That's true," Nero said. "We could go missions back to back, he comes out smelling like roses."
"Same as you kid."
"Guys, how are we waking Vera up?"
"She'll wake when she's ready. Right now, let her sleep." Dante shooed everyone out and left after kissing Vera.
"I love you Babe. Come back to us " He whispered. Shadow looked from its place near its mistress and purred at Dante who stroked the big cat then turned to Nightmare who was watching silently. "Watch over her, protect her." With a last look, he left the room and began to train.
I will get her back, Dante swore as he felt his rage and power spike again. Even if I have to beat him to do it.